What are the differences between breast nodules and cysts?

Breast cysts and breast nodules are both very common diseases. Since their symptoms are similar, many people easily confuse the two. In fact, breast cysts are generally benign lesions, and breast nodules can be benign or malignant. However, no matter which case it is, it is best to go to the hospital for a check-up, find out the cause, and then treat the disease accordingly.

The difference between breast cysts and nodules

Breast cysts and nodules have different pathological changes: breast nodules generally refer to solid lesions, while breast cysts refer to lumps with liquid components, both of which have low echoes on ultrasound.

1. Breast cyst, also known as milk stasis, is caused by the poor discharge of milk from one lobe of the gland during lactation, resulting in the accumulation of milk in the breast. The main manifestation of this disease is the presence of lumps or tumors in the breast, which can be felt. It is also related to endocrine disorders. Especially women who are breastfeeding will generally experience swelling and pain. Cysts are generally benign lesions. Small cysts can be observed first, or conservative treatment can be chosen, but larger cysts still need to be treated surgically.

2. Usually breast nodules are cystic breast hyperplasia, a non-tumor disease. Breast hyperplasia nodules are also called breast hyperplasia. When it comes to breast hyperplasia, I believe many female friends are familiar with it, because it is also the most common breast disease among women. The incidence of this disease ranks first among breast diseases. The main cause of the disease is endocrine hormone imbalance. Breast hyperplasia is also a benign disease. It is generally manifested as breast pain, lumps in the breast and a little nipple discharge, and is often accompanied by irregular menstruation, enlarged axillary lymph nodes, etc. Breast hyperplasia nodules are generally soft or medium in texture, accompanied by tenderness, good mobility, and clear boundaries. They often change with the menstrual cycle or mood, and the size of the tumor will not tend to increase in a short period of time.

What to do with breast cysts

1. Surgical treatment Most simple cysts require surgical diagnosis and treatment, but the possibility of malignant transformation must be ruled out before surgery to determine the scope of the operation.

2. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment: Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment is based on the principles of harmonizing the stomach and resolving phlegm, soothing the liver and regulating Qi to improve the symptoms of breast lumps and other discomfort signs caused by the disease. Breast cysts are caused by liver depression and qi stagnation, Chong and Ren disorders, and phlegm and blood stasis, and can be divided into two types: liver depression and spleen deficiency type and Chong and Ren disorder type.

(1) Liver depression and spleen deficiency type

Main symptoms: Breast lump, spherical, smooth and movable, may be painful, chest and flank fullness and stuffiness, poor appetite, slightly fat tongue, white and slightly greasy tongue coating, stringy pulse, weak spleen pulse.

Treatment: Soothe the liver and promote qi circulation, strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness. 15g of Huodeng, 6g of Codonopsis pilosula, 15g of Citrus aurantium, 10g of Atractylodes lancea, 20g of Hylocereus macrocephala, 12g of Magnolia officinalis, 6g of Angelica sinensis, 12g of Atractylodes macrocephala, 15g of Atractylodes macrocephala, 20g of fried lentil, 12g of papaya, 12g of Fritillaria thunbergii, 6g of Licorice root, 15g of Luffa loofah, and 60g of fried malt.

Acupuncture: Balanced tonification and purgation, selected acupoints such as Ganshu, Yinlingquan, Zusanli, Shanzhong, Pishu, and Shenshu. The treatment of breast cysts is done four times a week, with the needles retained for 30 minutes each time, including a 10-minute needling session.

(2) Chong and Ren disorders

Main symptoms: The lump changes with the menstrual cycle, swelling and hardening before menstruation, softening after menstruation, abnormal menstrual period, amount, color and quality, soreness of waist and knees, pale red or red tongue, thin white or scanty fur, and thready pulse.

What to do with breast nodules

Combination of Chinese and Western medicine to treat breast nodules.

1. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment is mainly symptomatic treatment, which can be treated with Chinese medicine or Chinese patent medicine, including soothing the liver and regulating qi, harmonizing Chong and Ren meridians, and correcting ovarian function. For localized cystic breast hyperplasia, a follow-up examination should be conducted within 1 week to 10 days after menstruation. If the lump becomes soft, shrinks or disappears, the patient can be observed and continue with Chinese medicine treatment.

2. If the mass does not regress significantly, or if the local lesion is suspected to be malignant during observation, it should be removed and a rapid pathological examination should be performed. If there is atypical epithelial hyperplasia, the scope of surgery can be determined in combination with other factors. For example, patients with high-risk factors such as contralateral breast cancer or a family history of breast cancer, as well as those who are older and have obvious breast tissue hyperplasia around the tumor, can undergo simple mastectomy. If none of the above conditions are present, close follow-up can be performed after tumor removal.