Breast Cysts

Breast cysts affect a large share of women between 35 and 50, and they often show up as a tender lump that comes and goes. Sarah Waterman, MD, at Green Mountain Breast Care Center in Stowe, Vermont, uses ultrasound to confirm whether a lump is a cyst, then talks through your options for managing it. Call the Stowe office or request an appointment online to have a lump evaluated.

What are breast cysts?

A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops within your breast tissue. Cysts feel round or oval, move slightly under your fingers, and often become tender or more noticeable in the days before your period. They can measure a few millimeters or grow large enough to change the shape of your breast.

Cysts frequently shrink or disappear after menopause, though hormone therapy can keep them going past that point. You may have one cyst or several at the same time, and they can appear in one breast or both.

What causes breast cysts?

Breast tissue responds to the hormones that fluctuate through your monthly cycle. When fluid builds up inside a milk gland and can’t drain, a cyst forms. Estrogen appears to drive much of this process, which explains why cysts come and go with your cycle and often resolve once your hormone levels drop.

Having cysts doesn’t raise your risk of breast cancer, though they can make your breast tissue harder to examine, both for you at home and for Dr. Waterman during an exam.

What symptoms do breast cysts cause?

Many cysts cause no symptoms at all and turn up during a routine mammogram. When symptoms do appear, they often include:

• A smooth, movable lump you can feel
• Tenderness or pain in one area
• A lump that grows before your period and shrinks after
• Increased breast fullness or heaviness
• Nipple discharge in some cases

Any new lump deserves evaluation, since a cyst and a solid mass can feel similar during a self-exam.

How does my doctor treat breast cysts?

Your visit begins with a breast exam, followed by an ultrasound to determine whether the lump contains fluid or solid tissue. Simple cysts filled entirely with fluid need no treatment unless they cause pain.

When a cyst hurts or keeps growing, Dr. Waterman performs a fine needle aspiration. She numbs the area, inserts a thin needle guided by ultrasound, and draws out the fluid, which usually collapses the cyst and relieves the discomfort right away. If a cyst contains solid components, Dr. Waterman takes a biopsy and sends the tissue to pathology for a closer look.

If you have a breast lump, call Green Mountain Breast Care Center today or request an appointment online for a thorough evaluation.