Cysts and mammogram

[Autumn2673]

I had my initial baseline mammogram last week (I am 35 years old).  The nurse called me back and said they wanted additional views on the left side because this side was dense.  I know that I have fibrocystic breast changes and cysts on this side of the breast.  I've had a couple ultrasounds on the left side and all showed cysts and I've had one of them aspirated.  How do cysts show up on a mammogram?  Do they show up differently on a mammogram as opposed to an ultrasound?  I am currently experiencing painful lumpy breasts on the left side.  Could this be the "dense" area they are referring to?  I'm confused.  Thanks.

[Erickamarie]

My cysts always looked like dark "holes".  Also, a very general rule is that cancer doesn't hurt.  I've had benign cysts that hurt and were nothing.  Also now had 1 that did not and it turned out to be cancerous.  Again, not a foolproof rule, but was true for me.  To moe, the cysts on the mammo look the same as on the ultrasound.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

A mamogram (mammogram) would oly pick up breast lesions that are a different density than the normal breast tissue - like calcifications etc.

An ultrasound is used to distiguish a solid lesion from a cystic or fluid filled one. This depends on the reflections of ultrasound waves from the lesion. It is isoechoic if it is similar to the surrounding breast tissue.

Let us now if you have any other doubts and post us about how you are doing.

Discuss your reports in detail with your breast specialist too.

Hope this helps.

Regards.