Breast cysts

If there is a cyst in the breast, you must go to the hospital for further examination to see whether your breast cyst is malignant or benign. If it is benign, you do not need to undergo surgery at the beginning. However, patients with malignant conditions cannot delay their treatment and should receive relevant treatment in time to prevent their condition from becoming more and more serious or even worsening.

Breast cysts are divided into simple cysts (also known as cystic breast hyperplasia) and milk cysts. Both are benign lesions, covered by a thin layer of epithelial tissue, with the cystic contents mostly liquid, and appearing as anechoic nodules on B-ultrasound. Simple breast cysts are benign lesions mainly caused by ovarian dysfunction.

Breast cysts are caused by ovarian dysfunction, decreased progesterone secretion, and increased estrogen secretion in the body, which leads to hyperplasia and shedding of the breast epithelium, causing the mammary lobules, tubules and terminal mammary ducts to become highly dilated and cystic. Clinically, simple breast cysts can be self-limited, and the lesions can stop after 3 years or more, but sometimes they can continue and eventually lead to cancer, but the chance is very small.

1. Lump

A breast lump is often the main symptom. It can occur in one or both breasts, but is more obvious in the left breast. The lumps may be solitary or multiple, and their shapes vary. They may be a single nodule or multiple nodules. A single nodule is often spherical, with unclear boundaries, can be moved freely, and has a cystic feeling. Multiple nodules often involve both breasts or the entire breast. The nodules vary in size, and the cystic activity is often restricted. They are of medium hardness and are tough. Larger cysts located near the surface can often be felt as cystic. According to the distribution range of the lumps, they can be divided into diffuse type, that is, the lumps are distributed throughout the breast; or mixed type, that is, there are lumps of several different shapes, such as flakes, nodules, cords, and granules scattered throughout the breast.

2. Breast pain

The breast pain of this disease is often not obvious and is not closely related to the menstrual cycle. Occasionally, there are various manifestations of pain such as dull pain, stabbing pain, chest and back pain, and upper limb pain. For some patients, the lump becomes larger, harder, and the pain worsens when they are depressed, sad, tired, or in bad weather. The lump becomes softer and smaller after menstruation or when their mood improves. Clinical experience suggests that such changes are mostly benign. If the lump grows rapidly and becomes hard, it may indicate malignancy.

3. Nipple discharge

About 5% to 15% of patients may have nipple discharge, most of which is spontaneous nipple discharge. It is often straw-yellow slurry, brown slurry, slurry-bloody or bloody discharge. If the discharge is serous or bloody, it often indicates an intraductal papilloma.