could something that looks like a cyst on ultrasound really be cancer?

[petwoman]

I have been going back and forth to a couple of drs my obgyn dr did not like the feeling of breast lump--mammogram and ultrasound (seems like a cyst they sd) Dr had me go to general surgeon sd looked like a cyst, tried 5 times to drain fluid and could not--sd don't worry it is nothing, but to be on safe side I will bring to Yale to let them look at and see what they think.  Now that that dr just called and sd they want to try and drain it under ultrasound guided needle.
but I am just nervous now that it is something more than a cyst and want to know if that is possible for it to be more when by all accounts it looks like a cyst?

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
Breast ultrasound is a procedure that may be used to determine whether a lump is a cyst (sac containing fluid) or a solid mass. If it is found to be a cyst, fluid is typically withdrawn from it using a needle and syringe (a process called aspiration). If clear fluid is removed and the mass completely disappears, no further treatment or evaluation is needed.
IF fluid cannot be aspirated the suspicious finding on mammogram/ultrasound has to be further evaluated.A potential abnormality on a mammogram may be called a nodule, mass, lump, density or distortion.
Ultrasound can also be used to precisely locate the position of a known tumor in order to guide the physician during a biopsy or aspiration procedure. Ultrasound helps confirm correct needle placement.
Breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a test that may be used to distinguish between benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) lesions. Performing this test may reduce the number of breast biopsies done to evaluate a suspicious breast mass.
A biopsy is the removal of cells or tissue from a suspicious mass. The tissue or cells are then examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells. A biopsy may be performed when an abnormal breast change is found during a mammogram, ultrasound or physical examination. A biopsy is the only way to determine if a potential trouble spot is cancerous or benign.
ref:http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-biopsy

[petwoman]

Thanks for the information, I am just concerned that the general surgeon could not get fluid out even though he was saying it was only a cyst.  He was bringing the mammogram and ultrasound files over to Yale, just as a secondhand thought and did really think that they would want to do anything else.  So I was surprised when I got the call today to come back for the needle guided by ultrasound.  I guess my next question is wether or not a solid mass would look so much like a "normal" cyst.  I am concerned since all my dad's sisters (4) have/had breast cancer.  

[healingwell62]

Hi,

I don't know how old you are, or any details about your history, but I would like to speak from my personal experience.  First and foremost, I don't want to be an alarmist, but I want to tell you some of my story.  I had two aunts and a grandmother on my father's side who had breast cancer.  All were treated and lived a full life.  There was no history of breast cancer on my mother's side.  All my doctor's told me my father's side of the family's history was unimportant.  The other part of my story is that I told my OB/GYN about brownish nipple discharge that I had periodicly, she told me it was not really worth worrying about, that the color wasn't a worrisome color.  I want you to know about these because I did end up being diagnosed 6 months later with ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma.  I am currently in treatment for this and am confident I will be fine when this is all said and done.  The other piece of this I want you to know is that I was worked up genetically and found to have the BRCA2 gene.  If someone minimizes information you bring up that feels important to you, look for someone who will listen to you and get answers for you until you feel satisfied and at ease.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or comments for me.  Good luck with your upcoming ultrasound-guided biopsy, and I truly hope all turns out well. With warm regards.