Breast cyst
Classification and external resources
ICD-9	610.0
MeSH	D047688

Contents 1 Definition 2 Diagnosis 3 Symptoms 4 Treatment 5 External links 6 References

[edit] Definition

A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac within the breast. One can have one or more breast cysts. They're often described as round or oval lumps with distinct edges. In texture, a breast cyst usually feels like a soft grape or a water-filled balloon, but sometimes a breast cyst feels firm.^[1]

Breast cysts can be painful and may be worrisome but are generally benign. They are most common in pre-menopausal women in their 30s or 40s. They usually disappear after menopause, unless you're taking hormone therapy.^[2] Breast cysts can be part of fibrocystic disease. The pain and swelling is usually worse in the second half of the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.

[edit] Diagnosis

The cystic nature of a breast lump can be confirmed by ultrasound examination, aspiration (removal of contents with needle), or mammogram. Ultrasound can also show if the cyst contains solid nodules, a sign that the lesion may be pre-cancerous or cancerous. Examination by a cytopathologist of the fluid aspirated from the cyst may also help with this diagnosis.

[edit] Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of breast cysts include:

• A smooth, easily movable round or oval breast lump with distinct edges
• Breast pain or tenderness in the area of the lump
• Increased lump size and tenderness just before your period
• Decreased lump size and resolution of other signs and symptoms after your period
• Having one or many simple breast cysts doesn't increase your risk of breast cancer.^[3]

[edit] Treatment

Breast cysts don't require treatment unless a cyst is large and painful or otherwise uncomfortable. In that case, draining the fluid from a breast cyst can ease your symptoms.^[4]

Typical treatment involves a Needle aspiration biopsy. Aspirated cysts often recur (come back); definitive treatment may require surgery.

[edit] External links

• BreastCancer.org article
• WDXCyber - Informative article

[edit] References

This article related to pathology is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

v • d • e Disorders of breast (N60-N64, 610-611) Female Mastitis Puerperal mastitis (Breast engorgement) · Nonpuerperal mastitis (Subareolar abscess/Zuska's disease, Granulomatous mastitis) · Chronic cystic mastitis Other Benign mammary dysplasia (Duct ectasia of breast) · Galactorrhea · Mastodynia · Nipple discharge · Galactocele · Ptosis · Breast cyst Male Gynecomastia breast navs: anat/physio, noncongen/congenital/neoplasia, proc