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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
multiple cyst
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
multiple cyst
by ev900, Feb 18, 2003 12:00AM
HI I just had a mammogram done because of fibrocystic disease , last year I had a mammogram done at the same time . anyways when I walked in the tech said she never seen anyone with that many cyst . she showed me my films and there were a totall of 14 they looked like a marble and round . they took me over to ultra sound and they confirmed that they were in fact cyst . same reaction from the ultra sound tech she couldnt believe I had that many and some are still there from last year and got bigger. my question is should I get these removed? because I can feel about 4 of them and they were there since last summer. I cut out caffine and my pain went away in a month. but is it ok to leave them in there ? I get scared because I think they can turn to cancer? am I right on that .thanks for your input. my doctor said to leave them alone .
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Feb 18, 2003 12:00AM
Dear EV900, Cysts are fluid filled lumps. They typically occur in women in their 30's, 40s and early 50s and are most common in women approaching menopause. Usually a woman will only get one or two cysts in a lifetime, however some woman do get many cysts, and get them often. Cysts are harmless in themselves, and as long as it has been confirmed by mammogram and ultrasound that these are indeed cysts there really is no need to aspirate them. Aspiration of the cyst involves putting a tiny needle into the cyst and removing the fluid. Also if the cyst is causing pain or discomfort, aspiration of the fluid may relieve the discomfort. Cysts do not turn into cancer, but having so many cysts may make finding a cancer more difficult. Discuss with your doctor some specifics about how you will be followed regarding these cysts, you may consider seeing a doctor who specializes in breast care, to help with the management and follow up of your case.
Member Comments (3)
by surgeon, Feb 18, 2003 12:00AM
cysts don't turn into cancer; they are harmless. The problem is just that women who have lots of cysts are harder to evaluate for changes than women who don't. As long as a given lump or shadow can be shown to be a cyst, it's nothing to worry about. However, anytime you find a new lump it's important to have them evaluated. With a cyst, a needle passed into it proves it's a cyst, and makes it go away. It's a nuisance, but a new lump always needs evaluation. As to removing them: a needle does it. Surgical removal is more or less impossible, in that as long as you have breast tissue, and you are a person who makes lots of cysts, you'll make more. As you get older it happens less and less.
by ritavv, Feb 18, 2003 12:00AM
Your breasts sound like mine were. The technicians always commented on how many cysts I had and almost every year I had some aspirated. My warning to you is don't become blase' about them. I had had so many cysts for so many years, that lumps were never of any concern to me. At age 50, one of those lumps turned out to be BC. So just be sure that you are checked out thoroughly with both mammo and ultrasound and if ANYTHING looks suspicious, have them biopsy it.
