Breast Cysts: Causes, Symptoms, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment

If you’ve discovered a breast cyst during a routine check-up or self-exam, you might have questions about the diagnosis and treatment process. Breast cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs within the breast tissue, are a common finding. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know—what breast cysts are, how they are diagnosed, the different types, and what to expect during testing and treatment.

If you’ve had a breast scan to assess the cyst, your doctor will discuss the results with you at a follow-up appointment or phone call. For those wanting an early look at their records, PocketHealth provides fast and secure access to your results the moment they are uploaded.

 

 

What is a breast cyst?

A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac that can form when an empty milk duct fills with fluid. They are usually noncancerous and can vary in size and shape. Some are so small you’ll only find them through medical imaging (microcysts), while others are large enough to become palpable and can cause discomfort (macrocysts). They can grow in one or both breasts and sometimes appear as clusters of multiple cysts.

Types of breast cysts:

Here are the three breast cyst types to be aware of:

• Simple breast cyst: Always noncancerous, the cyst wall is smooth and completely filled with fluid. They are the most common cyst type and can make up 90% of breast cyst cases.
• Complex breast cyst: This cyst is comprised of a mixture of solid and fluid matter. Only 20% of complex cysts are found to be cancerous, a diagnosis usually reached by taking a tissue sample and having it tested.
• Complicated breast cyst: Like the simple breast cyst, this one is filled with fluid, but it may have uneven borders or cloudiness within the fluid itself. A sample of the fluid is sometimes taken with a needle and tested at a laboratory. Alternatively, many providers simply followup within six months to track any changes. Rarely is a complicated cyst cancerous, only 2% of the time.

What causes breast cysts?

Breast cysts form when milk glands fill with fluid. Precise causes are uncertain, but it is thought to be linked to normal hormonal fluctuations. As a patient reaches menopause and estrogen levels drop, cyst formation tends to be less frequent.

Who is likely to get them?

Here are some factors that increase the likelihood of developing breast cysts:

• Individuals assigned female at birth who are aged 30-50
• Premenopausal individuals who still experience menstrual periods
• Individuals who have undergone menopause but are using hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Breast cyst symptoms

Some breast cysts are so small that patients only discover them after routine breast imaging. Other times, there are noticeable symptoms in the form of a palpable lump. Here is how a larger breast lump may feel:

• Soreness or discomfort: The lump may feel tender or uncomfortable, often becoming more pronounced before your menstrual period.
• Smooth and round to the touch: The lump may feel smooth and round.
• Size changes with your cycle: The lump’s size may grow before your cycle and then get smaller afterward.
• Soft texture: The lump can be firm or soft, but it is typically soft.
• Moveable: You’ll likely be able to move the lump around beneath your skin.
• Varying sizes: Sizes of breast cysts range from too tiny to feel up to the size of a golf ball or more.
• Nipple discharge: You may experience discharge from your nipple.

What does a breast cyst feel like?

Often, you won’t feel a breast cyst at all if it’s small. For larger lumps, you may feel a hard, smooth, moveable lump that can become more tender as your menstrual cycle approaches.

When to see a doctor

If you become aware of a breast lump on your own, it’s recommended to see a medical provider for further screening and diagnosis. This is often done through a mammogram or other breast imaging scans. Additional testing can be performed if necessary after the final report has been interpreted.

MyCare Navigator is a useful tool for preparing for your follow-up appointment. It generates personalized questions based on your report and identifies any recommended follow-up steps, helping you address these with your physician and make your appointment more productive.

 

How are breast cysts diagnosed?

There are multiple methods used for breast cyst diagnosis. Here is a quick overview of each:

Breast exam

Cysts may be discovered or diagnosed during a breast exam. This could occur during a routine exam, such as one performed during your annual checkup, or it may be scheduled because you found a lump during a self-examination. The doctor will note the location, apparent size and mobility of the lump. Typically, additional testing, such as imaging, will be done to confirm the cyst.

Ultrasound

 

A breast ultrasound helps determine whether a lump is solid or fluid-filled, which can identify it as a cyst or another type of lump, such as a non-cancerous fibroadenoma. Breast cysts may appear as either a hypoechoic or anechoic mass on the ultrasound. A hypoechoic mass appears darker compared to surrounding tissues, while an anechoic mass appears completely dark. This differentiation helps indicate whether the lump is air-filled, fat-filled or fluid-filled. Although solid cysts can sometimes be a sign of breast cancer, it is relatively uncommon. There are many benign breast abnormalities that are more common than cancer, so try not to worry.

When you get your ultrasound results back, some of the technical information can be a little confusing to understand. Report Reader clarifies your report by providing clear definitions of complex medical terminology, enabling you to better understand your imaging data.

Mammogram

Mammograms are another method to identify a breast cyst. However, if the cyst is very small or the patient has dense breasts—where the amount of fatty tissue is much lower than fibrous tissue—it can be challenging to detect. That’s why breast ultrasounds can be more diagnostically appropriate in these cases. For patients aged 40 or above, mammograms can be more effective, as breast density can decrease with age and visibility can improve.

Mammograms are an important scanning technique not only for diagnosing breast cysts but also for evaluating other aspects of breast care.

Having access to your ultrasounds and other imaging can empower you to take control of your health. Easy access to ultrasounds and other breast scans is a valuable tool in your health journey. PocketHealth allows you to store, review, store and share your medical these essential records easily, allowing you monitor your breast health. This feature was especially beneficial for Patti, who used PocketHealth throughout her successful breast cancer treatment. She regularly reviewed her imaging records, which she found empowering, saying it “…gave me control over something that was so uncontrollable.

 

 

Breast cyst aspiration or biopsy

Another diagnostic technique is fine-needle aspiration or biopsy. This is often performed during a breast ultrasound to help the doctor guide the needle accurately. A thin needle is inserted into the lump, and the doctor will attempt to withdraw fluid or a small amount of the tissue from the cyst. The needle is so thin that most patients describe the experience as feeling pressure rather than pain. The way the lump reacts will determine the next steps:

• If fluid is removed and the lump collapses: This indicates a breast cyst, which is very likely noncancerous. You generally won’t need treatment.
• If the collected fluid is bloody or straw-colored: Your doctor will likely send the fluid sample for testing to rule out cancer. Despite this precaution, breast cancer is still uncommon in these cases, so try not to panic.
• If no fluid can be collected: This may suggest that at least part of the breast lump is solid. The doctor will use the needle to collect a tissue sample and send it for testing to rule out cancer. If they need a larger tissue sample, they will use a larger needle to perform what is called a core needle biopsy. Remember, even solid lumps are frequently benign.

 

Treatment for breast cysts

Treatment for breast cysts varies depending on size, level of discomfort and the type of cyst it is. Here is some general information about cyst treatment.

How are breast cysts treated?

Simple breast cysts, which are the most common, often require no treatment at all. However, if the patient is experiencing pain, the fluid can be drained through needle aspiration to relieve discomfort. Complicated cysts are very rarely cancerous. Typically, a follow-up screening will be recommended in six months to ensure there are no changes. Complex cysts often require additional testing, such as a biopsy, to rule out the possibility of cancer. They may also need more frequent breast scans to monitor any changes. Even so, it is uncommon for complex cysts to be cancerous.

Can you shrink a breast cyst naturally?

Most breast cysts will go away on their own, and there is usually no need for medical intervention unless you are experiencing significant pain or discomfort. To manage symptoms while waiting for the cyst to shrink, you can apply an ice pack or warm compress, wear comfortable and supportive bras, and reduce your caffeine intake, which has been associated with symptom relief.

 

Frequently asked questions

Here is a guide to some commonly asked questions regarding breast cysts:

Can a breast cyst be cancerous?

Breast cysts are rarely cancerous but it can happen in some cases. If your doctor has any concerns, they will likely recommend a biopsy for further testing.

Can a breast cyst turn into cancer?

Simple cysts, the most common type, do not turn into cancer. Complicated and complex cysts sometimes have the potential to become cancerous, but this is still rare. To be cautious, doctors often monitor these cysts more closely with frequent breast scans to detect any changes early.

Do breast cysts increase your risk of breast cancer?

Simple breast cysts do not increase your cancer risk. Complex and complicated types have a small potential to slightly increase your risk, but your doctor will likely monitor them closely with more frequent scanning and take early action if necessary.

Do cysts go away in the breasts?

Yes, they typically go away on their own. A small percentage may persist, but most of the time you won’t notice them. If you do notice them or experience discomfort or pain, consult your doctor about potential options for removal or drainage.

Do breast cysts need to be removed?

The majority of breast cysts don’t need to be removed. If you have a particularly large cyst that’s very uncomfortable or if there are concerns about possible cancerous changes, your doctor may recommend surgical removal. Keep in mind that the majority of breast cysts are benign.

What happens if you don’t treat them?

If left untreated, most breast cysts will typically resolve on their own, and you might not even notice them. However, if a cyst shows potential cancerous tendencies, there is a small risk it could develop into breast cancer over time, although this is rare. To help mitigate this risk, it is recommended to perform regular breast self-exams, stay up to date with your annual gynecological checkups and follow your medical provider’s recommendations for mammograms.

 

Take control of your breast health

Preventive and diagnostic breast scans are an important part of wellness practices. Whether it’s mammograms or ultrasounds, monitoring your breast imaging helps you stay engaged in your health journey. PocketHealth offers fast, secure access to these reports, uploading your results as soon as they are available. The ability to easily share these reports with specialists or medical providers ensures you always have the information you need to receive the care you deserve.