Breast Cyst Flashcards
1
Q
What is a Cyst?
A
closed sac, having a distinct envelope and division compared with the nearby tissue
Can be filled with
- fluid (most common)
- air
- semi-solid materials
2
Q
What is a Breast Cyst?
A
A cyst in the breast (mostly fluid filled sac), normally benign
3
Q
What are presenting symptoms of a breast cyst?
A
- Breast pain or tenderness in the area of the breast lump
- Increase in breast lump size and breast tenderness just before your period
- Decrease in breast lump size and resolution of other symptoms after your period
4
Q
What are signs of a fibrocystic change in the breast?
A
- Soft lumb, usually moveable in breast
- Nipple Discharge (clear, milky, yellow)
5
Q
How would you investigate a suspected cyst in the breast?
A
- Physical exam
- US
- Mammogram (women>30)
- If confirmed: Fine-needle aspiration (to determine if treatment necessary)
- If unclear: biopsy
6
Q
How would you treat a breat cyst?
A
Depends on sympotms
- If mild to moderate –> no treatment necessary
- In severe symptoms
- Aspiration
- Oral contraceptive, Tamoxifen
- Surgical Removal
7
Q
What is the prognosis of a patient with a breat cyst?
A
depends on the histologic subtype
- Nonproliferative: no increased risk of cancer
- Proliferative lesions with atypical cells (e.g., ductal epithelial hyperplasia): increased risk of cancer
8
Q
What is the epidemiology of a fibrocystic change in the breast?
A
- Most common benign lesion of the breast
- Up to 50% of women are affected during their lifetime.
- Primarily in premenopausal women 20–50 years of age
9
Q
What is the aetiology of a fibrocystic lesion in the breast?
A
Unknown
- Though not established: excess of estrogen coupled with a progesterone deficiency seems to play an important role
10
Q
What are risk factors for developing breast cycst?
A
- obesity,
- nulliparity (never gave birth)
- oestrogen replacement therapy,
- late-onset menopause,
- later age at first childbirth.
