A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac inside the breast. One breast can have one or more breast cysts. They are often described as round or oval lumps with different edges. In texture, the breast cyst usually feels like a soft wine or a balloon of water, but sometimes the breast cysts feel strong.
Breast cysts can be painful and may be alarming but generally benign. They are most common in pre-menopausal women aged 30 or 40 years. They usually disappear after menopause, but may persist or reappear when using hormone therapy. They are also common in adolescents. Breast cysts can be part of fibrocystic disease. Pain and swelling usually worsen during the second half of the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Treating a breast cyst is usually not necessary unless they are painful or cause discomfort. In most cases, the discomfort it generates can be reduced by draining the fluid from the cyst. The cyst is formed as a result of the growth of the mammary gland and its size can range from smaller than peanuts to larger than a pingpong ball. Small cysts can not be felt during physical examination, and some large cysts feel like a lump. However, most cysts, regardless of their size can not be identified during physical examination.
Breast cysts do not become confused with "milk cysts" (galactoceles), which usually appear during weaning.
Video Breast cyst
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of breast cysts include:
- A round or oval breast lump that is smooth and easy to move with different edges
- Breast pain or tenderness in the lump area
- Increased lump size and tenderness before menstruation
- Lump size decreases and resolution of other signs and symptoms after menstruation
- Having one or more simple breast cysts does not increase a person's risk of developing breast cancer.
Lumps in the breast are often not found during self-examination or physical examination. However, in some cases they can feel a touch, especially if they are bigger.
Breasts are usually thick or nodular as a result of hormonal changes experienced by women during their menstrual cycle. However, new breast lumps should always be referred to a specialist.
The leaking fluid from the cyst, which may occur due to puncture or strong compression during mammography, or due to a seat belt injury in a car accident, may trigger aseptic inflammation around the breast tissue.
Maps Breast cyst
Diagnosis
The cystic properties of breast lumps can be confirmed by ultrasound examination, aspiration (discharge of needle content), or mammogram. Ultrasound may also indicate whether the cyst contains solid nodules, a sign that the lesions may be pre-cancerous or cancerous. Examination by the cytopathologist from fluid sucked from the cyst can also help in this diagnosis. In particular, it should be sent to a laboratory to test if it is stained with blood.
Generally, cysts are detected with the help of mammograms. However, medical history and physical examination also play an important role in establishing an accurate diagnosis. During these tests, the doctor will try to find as much information as possible about the symptoms experienced by the patient, their intensity and duration as well as physical examination done regularly to check for other abnormalities that may be present in the breast.
As mentioned above, the cyst is often undetectable to the touch. Therefore, mammograms can provide valuable and clear images of breast tissue. Generally, if there are abnormalities in the breast tissue, it will be displayed on the mammogram. There are two types of mammograms available. One of them is mainly used in screening, and is ordered for patients who do not show any symptoms and this is called mammogram screening. Diagnostic mammograms are used in patients who develop certain symptoms of breast conditions or in patients whose mammogram screening suggests abnormalities.
Patients with suspected breast cysts will usually be given mammograms to diagnose, even if they are not suspected of cancer. This type of mammogram gives doctors the possibility of doing breast ultrasound at the same time and this is the reason why they are often preferred over mammogram examination. Breast ultrasound is considered the best option when diagnosing breast cysts because 95 to 100% accurate, it gives a clear picture on the appearance of cysts (simple or complex) and may also distinguish between solid lumps and fluid-filled cysts, which is a mammogram can not be done. Breast ultrasound is performed with the aid of a handheld medical device placed on the skin, after a special type of liquid has been applied on it. The instrument takes an echo resulting from sound waves sent to the breast. These echoes are sent to a computer that translates them into an image.
Breast cysts may remain stable for years or may heal spontaneously. Most simple cysts are benign and require no further diagnostic treatment or examination. Some complex cysts may require further diagnostic measures such as fine needle aspiration or biopsy to exclude breast cancer but the majority are benign properties. Both aspirants diagnose and remove cysts at the same time. That is, the cyst will usually disappear by itself after the liquid is dried. Otherwise, if the lump is not a cyst, the sucked liquid may contain blood or there may be no liquid at all. While in the first case, the fluid is sent to the laboratory for further examination, the last state is a sign that the breast lump is solid. This type of tumor needs to be biopsied to determine whether the tumor is malignant or benign.
Prevention
The development of breast cysts can be prevented to some extent, according to most specialists. Recommended steps that can be taken to avoid cyst formation include practicing good health and avoiding certain medications, eating a balanced diet, taking necessary vitamins and supplements, exercising, and avoiding stress.
Although caffeine consumption does not have a scientifically proven association with cyst developmental processes, many women claim that their symptoms are relieved to avoid them. Some doctors recommend reducing the amount of caffeine in a person's diet either from drinks or food (such as chocolate). Also reducing salt intake can help relieve symptoms of breast cysts, although, again, there is no scientific connection between the two. Excessive sugar consumption and undetected food allergies, such as gluten or lactose, can also contribute to the development of cysts.
Treatment
Breast cysts do not require treatment unless the cyst is large and painful or uncomfortable. In this case, draining fluid from breast cysts can relieve symptoms.
Typical treatments involve a needle aspiration biopsy. Aspirative cysts often recur (return); definitive treatment may require surgery.
Drying the fluid and then waiting for the cyst to complete is the main treatment applied in this case. In addition, if the cyst is aspirated and the fluid looks normal, they do not require other medical attention other than follow-up to make sure they have completely disappeared. Hormone therapy, with oral contraceptives, is sometimes prescribed to reduce their recurrence and to regulate the menstrual cycle of the patient (which may cause them in the first place). Danazol can also be prescribed to treat this condition and is usually considered in patients who can not undergo medical treatment and the symptoms are very intense.
Surgical removal of breast cysts is only necessary in some unusual circumstances. If an uncomfortable breast cyst recurs from month to month, or if the breast cyst contains blood-stained fluid and displays other alarming signs, surgery may be considered.
Epidemiology
It is estimated that 7% of women in the western world develop a palpable breast cyst.
There is early evidence that women with breast cysts may have an increased risk of breast cancer, especially at a younger age.
In men, the occurrence of breast cysts is rare and may (but not necessarily) be an indication of malignancy.
Cysts and bra support
Some women experience breast pain, especially when involved in strong physical activity. A properly fitted sport bra, which compresses or unifies the breast tissue, is designed to reduce the pain caused by exercise.
References
External links
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments