Breast Cysts - Baylor Health Care System

Darlene 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.
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
Patient Scheduling: (214) 820-2430
Scheduling Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm
Office 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 Dallas
Darlene G. Cass Women’s Imaging Center at Junius
Baylor Medical Pavilion
3900 Junius St., Ste. 200, Dallas, Texas 75246
Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas
Darlene G. Cass Women’s Imaging Center at North Dallas
Baylor Health Center at North Dallas
9101 N. Central Expwy., Ste. 200, Dallas, Texas 75231
BaylorHealth.com
with “cystic breasts.”
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
Breast cysts
What is “fibrocystic disease”?
for analysis. When a
cyst is discovered by
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs within the
This is an unfortunate term which has achieved wide usage.
ultrasound, aspiration is
breast. These sacs form when
It is frequently used to describe a “lumpy breast.” This is a
not generally
normal milk glands enlarge. The
common condition usually unassociated with prominent cysts
recommended unless
Virtually all
cause of this enlargement is not
and affecting at least half of women who may have irregular
the cyst has some
breast cysts
definite, but is very likely related to
feeling breast tissue, cyclical pain and tenderness. These
unusual features on the
identified as
an imbalance between the normal
changes represent variable responses of breast tissue to
ultrasound image, or
‘simple cysts’
production and absorption of fluid.
cyclical fluctuations in levels of normal female hormones and
the cyst is associated
by ultrasound
Breast cysts may be solitary but are
are best designated as a benign “condition”, not a disease.
with discomfort. If the
are benign and
commonly multiple and can vary in
cyst appears to contain material other than fluid on the
remain so.
size from microscopic to larger than
ultrasound image, an aspiration procedure may be
Do cysts lead to cancer?
recommended.
Breast cysts are common, particularly in women ages 40-60.
Virtually all breast cysts identified as “simple cysts” by
If a cyst aspiration procedure is recommended these steps
Although larger cysts can sometimes be felt as “lumps”,
ultrasound are benign and remain so. It is estimated that
are followed:
many cysts are undetectable by physical examination.
perhaps one in 1,000 cysts may harbor a tumor (not
1. The cyst will be located by ultrasound (sonogram).
necessarily malignant). These can usually be identified by their
2. The skin will be cleansed with an antibacterial solution.
In a study of more than 2,000 women in New York City,
ultrasound appearance. Women with cysts are not at greater
3. A small needle will be inserted into the cyst. The fluid will
ultrasound found cysts in 30 percent of pre-menopausal
risk for the development of cancer. However, this risk may be
women, seven percent of post-menopausal women and 20
minimally elevated if there is a positive family history of breast
percent of postmenopausal women who were taking
cancer involving a patients mother, sister or daughter.
a ping pong ball.
then be drained until the cyst disappears.
4. When the needle is removed, a small bandage will be
applied.
hormone replacement. Only eight percent of these cysts
could be felt at physical examination but half were seen on
Does cyst fluid need to be analyzed
in the laboratory?
mammograms.
Do cysts need to be aspirated?
Cysts are frequently seen as abnormal shadows on
When a breast lump is found, your doctor may elect to place
mammograms. When this occurs, breast ultrasound
a needle into the lump. This is a simple and effective
Studies of breast cyst fluid from thousands of women have
examination is usually performed. Breast ultrasound is the
technique which serves a dual purpose. It confirms the
established that laboratory analysis of fluid is of value only if
most sensitive and accurate method for identification and
nature of the lump as “cystic” and extracting fluid from a
the appearance of the fluid suggests previous bleeding.
diagnosis of breast cysts. With modern ultrasound equipment
cyst, frequently causes the lump to disappear. If no fluid is
Normal benign cyst fluid is usually yellow, green or grey and
a diagnostic accuracy rate of more than 95 percent can be
obtained, the lump is presumed not to be a cyst and
does not need to be analyzed.
expected.
whatever material is aspirated may be sent to the laboratory