Post menopausal / Complex breast cysts

I am somewhat new to this forum and have appreciated the replies I received from members.  You are all so helpful and I can't thank you enough.

I have a question.  I am 42 and had a complete hysterectomy back in 2002.  I have been on 1 mg of estradiol per day since my hysterectomy.  I had my yearly mammogram and I was called back for more views and an ultrasound.  The doctor sent my report today.  It says:

There does appear to be a persistent density present in the upper outer quadrant of the rt breast measuring about 1cm.  Density 25-505

In the 11:00 position of the rt breast, there is a simple cyst present measuring 9mm which would correspond well with the mammographic finding.  IN ADDITION in the 11:00 region, there is a small complex nodule measuring 0.5cm and also in the region is a second complex cyst or nodule measuring 0.4cm.  The small complex lesions have a probable benign appearance.  BiRad 3

My question is how common is it to develop cysts so many years after going through surgical menopause.  I am concerned very much about the 2 new complex cysts.  I have always had "clear" mammograms in the past.  The complex cysts are something very new and the density has been persistent for about 3-4 years.  Also are nodules something more than a cyst?  Should I consult a surgeon????  

[ocean12]

OOPS,  I meant to say that density is 20-25%.  Just a little typo!!!

[bluebutterfly2222]

The peak incidence for cysts is in premenopausal women aged 40-50. Less than 5% of cysts are in women over 60.

Both single and multiple cysts are very common. The exact causes of cysts are not known, but they do tend to change with hormonal variations, either during normal menstrual cycles or from post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy.

Simple cysts are typically round or oval and have smooth edges. Complex cysts can be filled with debris and may sometimes require aspiration to confirm that they are indeed benign cysts. If there is a cystic, fluid- filled area seen on ultrasound of the breast and the characteristics are benign, the usual treatment is to put a needle in the cyst and draw off (aspirate) the fluid. If the fluid is clear or yellow color but with no evidence of blood in it, the fluid is just discarded since this  means the cyst is non-cancerous. The woman just then waits to see if the cyst recurs. If it does not, no other treatment is needed. If it does recur, an excision of the cyst or a 2nd aspiration may be performed.

If on ultrasound the cyst appears to have any characteristics of malignancy, or if on aspiration of a benign cyst bloody fluid is found, then the cyst is surgically excised just as if it were a solid lesion.

Lump, lesion, mass, nodule are pretty much interchangeable terms. Upon fevaluation they can turn out to be cysts, solid benign tumors, or something of more concern. I suspect the radiologist used lesion and nodule when describing what appear to be complex cysts because it has not been definitively determined that that's what they are.
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Since the images were given a BI-RADS 3, this means the radiologist did not observe features that were suspicious for malignancy.

However, if you are uncomfortable with these new developments, you could consult a breast surgeon.

Best wishes...