Cyst

Complaints of cysts in the breasts are quite a common reason of visits to a mammologist. At the same time the patient does not refer because of sensations or pain in the breasts, but with a fact of discovering this obscure condition during a planned ultrasound. Lack of understanding of the nature of this phenomenon, fear of cancer and poor quality of available information give rise to many questions. 

First, it is necessary to understand exactly how the cyst of the breast is formed. During a menstrual cycle a lot of different hormones are released in the woman’s blood, that regulate physiological processes in the female reproductive organs. Breast tissue is very sensitive to hormonal changes in reproductive age, especially to breastfeeding. The main function of the breast cells is secretion or production of milk. However, it is not always necessary, and it takes certain constant conditions to support the lactation function. That’s why the breast tissue is in a state of constant readiness for a certain period of time and occasionally secretes some substances. Throughout the cyclic hormonal changes certain disturbances in the secretion process may occur which may lead to obstruction of mammary ducts and accumulation of secreted fluid in enclosed spaces. That is how cysts are formed. Sometimes they may recede and sometimes they increase in size. 

The size of the cyst and the sensations that they cause attracts the attention of a mammologist. When a cyst reaches a significant size (2.5 – 3 cm) it may be treated with a simple ultrasound guided puncture with a syringe needle and complete evacuation of its contents. 

An option of surgical removal of the cyst and its capsule is also considered when the cysts are large, and they often recur or when the cyst capsule contains additional suspicious inclusions. Cysts are not precursors of cancer, because essentially, they are hollow structures – an empty space filled with fluid.