Causes of Breast Cysts

Breast cysts are a type of breast disease. The main cause of breast cysts is the blockage of the milk ducts. Blood and nutrients cannot circulate normally, so cysts occur. People with breast cysts should go to the hospital for examination and treatment in time. Otherwise, breast cysts may develop into breast cancer in the later stages. Next, we will take you to understand the specific causes of breast cysts.

Simple cysts are the most common breast cysts. It is mainly due to endocrine disorders that cause ductal epithelial hyperplasia, resulting in duct extension, tortuosity, and folding. The duct wall at the folding site undergoes necrosis due to ischemia, forming a cyst. Galactocele, also known as milk retention cyst, is less common than simple cyst. It is mainly caused by blockage of a duct during lactation, which causes milk stasis and forms a cyst.

Clinical manifestations

1. Simple cyst

Simple cysts are the most common breast cysts, mainly due to endocrine disorders causing ductal epithelial hyperplasia and an increase in cells in the ducts, which causes the ducts to extend, tortuosity, and fold. The duct walls at the folds become necrotic due to ischemia, forming cysts.

Simple breast cysts are common in middle-aged women, with round or oval breast lumps as the main symptoms. The cysts can be single or multiple. In single cases, the tumor often grows rapidly and can be easily confused with breast cancer. The cyst often changes with the menstrual cycle and is accompanied by premenstrual breast pain. To confirm the diagnosis, mammography, ultrasound and needle aspiration cytology can be performed. If multiple punctures are ineffective, or if cytological or histological examinations confirm epithelial hyperplasia or papilloma, surgical treatment is appropriate.

2. Breast cyst

Galactocele, also known as milk retention cyst, is less common than simple cyst. It is mainly caused by blockage of a duct during lactation, which causes milk stasis and forms a cyst. Milk cysts can be found in any part of the breast, and are most common deep in the breast, often occurring during pregnancy or lactation or after lactation.

The main clinical symptom of milk cyst is breast lumps, which are mostly round or oval, with a smooth surface, a cystic feel, clear boundaries, high mobility, and no adhesion to the skin. In case of secondary infection, local inflammatory reactions such as redness, swelling, heat and pain may be seen, and enlarged lymph nodes may be felt in the ipsilateral axilla. If the cyst is large, the patient has a long history of illness, or has recurrent infections, surgical removal of the cyst is recommended.

examine

1. Breast palpation

If a tumor with clear boundaries, good mobility, and a smooth surface is felt during examination, attention should be paid to the possibility of a breast cyst.

2. Breast ultrasound and mammography

Breast ultrasound is very helpful in diagnosis. Malignancy should be considered for thick-walled cysts, uneven walls, or visible protrusions on the walls. Breast mammography can reveal some cystic lesions that have already become malignant (with clustered or punctate calcifications).