Breast Cysts Flashcards
what are the most common types of breast lumps?
Breast cysts
In what age range do breast cysts affect women?
30-50
Describe the morphology of breast cysts: (5)
1) fluid filled
2) smooth
3) well circumscribed
4) mobile
5) fluctuant
True or false: breast cysts are fixed
False - they are mobile
How can you differentiate between breast cysts and fibroadenoma:
breast cysts are painful whereas fibroadenomas are painless
True or false: breast cysts do not increase the risk of cancer
false
What imaging method can be used to visualise a breast cyst?
ultrasound
What is the gold standard diagnosis method for breast cysts?
fine needle aspiration
Give 6 differential diagnoses for breast cysts:
1) fibroadenoma
2) fat necrosis
3) lipoma
4) galactocele
5) fibrocystic breast changes
6) Phyllode’s tumour
What is fat necrosis of the breast?
trauma induced scarring forming a lump that is firm, irregular and painless potentially with skin dimpling or nipple inversion
Describe how a lipoma feels on palpation:
soft, painless and mobile
What is a galactocele?
a milk filled cysts that are caused by lactiferous duct blockage
How does a galactocele present?
a firm, mobile, painless lump found under the areolar
How does fibrocystic breast change present?
generalised painful, lumpy breast often worsened by menstrual change
What is a Phyllode’s tumour?
a rare fast growing connective tissue tumour
