Breast Cyst

Question 1

What are breast cysts?

Answer 1

Breast cysts = benign, fluid filled sac within the breast
• Fibrocystic breasts = lumpy breasts associated with pain that fluctuate with the menstrual cycle (worse during luteal phase)
o RFs: Obesity, nulliparity, HRT, late onset menopause/first childbirth
o Diagnosis of exclusion
o Typically in women age 30-40

Question 2

What is the aetiology of breast cysts?

Answer 2

• Uncertain aetiology – likely to do with hormonal changes

o Become larger/tender pre-menstrually

Question 3

What are the risk factors for breast cysts?

Answer 3

• Previous breast cyst

* Peri-menopausal

Question 4

What is the epidemiology of breast cysts?

Answer 4

• Approximately 7% of peri-menopausal women develop palpable breast cysts
• Rarely found in men
• Account for 15% of all breast lumps
• Affect women aged 40-60
• Can occur in post-menopausal women taking HRT
• 30% develop another

Question 5

What are the symptoms of breast cysts?

Answer 5

• Breast lump
o Hard and mobile
o Enlarge very rapidly during menstrual cycle (‘appear overnight’)

Question 6

What are the signs of breast cysts?

Answer 6

• Breast lump
Tenderness in the area
Extremely well defined and smooth

• May have multiple lumps

Question 7

What are the investigations for breast cysts?

Answer 7

US
o Thin walled, well-defined fluid-filled lesion
o Malignancy = thickened wall, thick internal septations, mixed solid/fluid

Mammogram (if over 40)

Aspiration