What will happen if a cyst is left alone?

Breast cysts frequently fluctuate in size. This is commonly

seen on routine annual mammograms. They may resolve

and entirely disappear between annual examinations.

This was observed in more than half of women with cysts

followed at a breast center in Los Angeles. Since

mammograms of women with breast cysts may look

different each year, ultrasound may be needed to ensure

complete evaluation.

For this reason diagnostic mammograms, rather than

screening mammograms, are suggested for our patients

with “cystic breasts.”

Breast CystsDarlene G. Cass Women's Imaging Center provides breast health diagnostic procedures such as: screening and diagnostic mammography, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), stereotactic biopsy, ultrasound and ultrasound-guided biopsy. Bone density screening and evaluations are also provided.

Patient Scheduling: (214) 820-2430Scheduling Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pmOffice Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm Two Saturdays a month, 8 am – Noon

Two locations to serve your needs:

Baylor University Medical Center at DallasDarlene G. Cass Women’s Imaging Center at JuniusBaylor Medical Pavilion3900 Junius St., Ste. 200, Dallas, Texas 75246

Baylor University Medical Center at DallasDarlene G. Cass Women’s Imaging Center at North DallasBaylor Health Center at North Dallas9101 N. Central Expwy., Ste. 200, Dallas, Texas 75231

BaylorHealth.com

The W. H. & Peggy Smith Baylor Sammons Breast Center provides education on breast health including benign breast conditions, screening and diagnostic services, and breast cancer treatment options. Information is also provided about breast cancer prevention, hereditary risk, clinical trials and reconstructive surgery.

For information call (214) 820-9600.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas or Baylor Health Care System. ©2008 Baylor Health Care System. MOD-08030 BUMC-DCWIC. 5,000. 5/08

Breast cysts

Cysts are fluid-filled sacs within the

breast. These sacs form when

normal milk glands enlarge. The

cause of this enlargement is not

definite, but is very likely related to

an imbalance between the normal

production and absorption of fluid.

Breast cysts may be solitary but are

commonly multiple and can vary in

size from microscopic to larger than

a ping pong ball.

Breast cysts are common, particularly in women ages 40-60.

Although larger cysts can sometimes be felt as “lumps”,

many cysts are undetectable by physical examination.

In a study of more than 2,000 women in New York City,

ultrasound found cysts in 30 percent of pre-menopausal

women, seven percent of post-menopausal women and 20

percent of postmenopausal women who were taking

hormone replacement. Only eight percent of these cysts

could be felt at physical examination but half were seen on

mammograms.

Cysts are frequently seen as abnormal shadows on

mammograms. When this occurs, breast ultrasound

examination is usually performed. Breast ultrasound is the

most sensitive and accurate method for identification and

diagnosis of breast cysts. With modern ultrasound equipment

a diagnostic accuracy rate of more than 95 percent can be

expected.

What is “fibrocystic disease”?

This is an unfortunate term which has achieved wide usage.

It is frequently used to describe a “lumpy breast.” This is a

common condition usually unassociated with prominent cysts

and affecting at least half of women who may have irregular

feeling breast tissue, cyclical pain and tenderness. These

changes represent variable responses of breast tissue to

cyclical fluctuations in levels of normal female hormones and

are best designated as a benign “condition”, not a disease.

Do cysts lead to cancer?

Virtually all breast cysts identified as “simple cysts” by

ultrasound are benign and remain so. It is estimated that

perhaps one in 1,000 cysts may harbor a tumor (not

necessarily malignant). These can usually be identified by their

ultrasound appearance. Women with cysts are not at greater

risk for the development of cancer. However, this risk may be

minimally elevated if there is a positive family history of breast

cancer involving a patients mother, sister or daughter.

Do cysts need to be aspirated?

When a breast lump is found, your doctor may elect to place

a needle into the lump. This is a simple and effective

technique which serves a dual purpose. It confirms the

nature of the lump as “cystic” and extracting fluid from a

cyst, frequently causes the lump to disappear. If no fluid is

obtained, the lump is presumed not to be a cyst and

whatever material is aspirated may be sent to the laboratory

for analysis. When a

cyst is discovered by

ultrasound, aspiration is

not generally

recommended unless

the cyst has some

unusual features on the

ultrasound image, or

the cyst is associated

with discomfort. If the

cyst appears to contain material other than fluid on the

ultrasound image, an aspiration procedure may be

recommended.

If a cyst aspiration procedure is recommended these steps

are followed:

1. The cyst will be located by ultrasound (sonogram).

2. The skin will be cleansed with an antibacterial solution.

3. A small needle will be inserted into the cyst. The fluid will

then be drained until the cyst disappears.

4. When the needle is removed, a small bandage will be

applied.

Does cyst fluid need to be analyzed in the laboratory?

Studies of breast cyst fluid from thousands of women have

established that laboratory analysis of fluid is of value only if

the appearance of the fluid suggests previous bleeding.

Normal benign cyst fluid is usually yellow, green or grey and

does not need to be analyzed.

Virtually all

breast cysts

identified as

‘simple cysts’

by ultrasound

are benign and

remain so.