DEFINITION
Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs within the breast, which are usually not cancer (benign). There can be one or many breast cysts. They’re often described as round or oval lumps with distinct edges. In texture, a breast cyst usually feels like a grape or a water-filled balloon, but sometimes a breast cyst feels firm.
INCIDENCE
Breast cysts are common in women before menopause, between ages 35 and 50, but can be found in women of any age.
TYPES
∆ Microcysts are too small to feel, but may be seen during imaging tests, such as mammography or ultrasound.
∆ Macrocysts are large enough to be felt and can grow to about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) in diameter. Large breast cysts can put pressure on nearby breast tissue, causing breast pain or discomfort.
CAUSES
The cause of breast cysts remains unknown.
RISK FACTORS
Excess estrogen in the body
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Breast cysts develop when an overgrowth of glands and connective tissue (fibrocystic changes) block milk ducts, causing them to widen (dilate) and fill with fluid.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
∆ A smooth, easily movable round or oval breast lump with distinct edges
∆ Usually found in one breast, but can affect both breasts at the same time
∆ Breast pain or tenderness in the area of the breast lump
∆ Increase in breast lump size and breast tenderness just before the period
∆ Decrease in breast lump size
DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
∆ History Collection
In this history collection like Past Medical history ,Family History etc..
∆ Breast examination
The doctor will physically examine the breast lump and check for any other problem areas in the breasts.
∆ Breastultrasound
Breast ultrasound can help the doctor determine whether a breast lump is fluid-filled or solid. A fluid-filled area usually indicates a breast cyst.
∆ Fine Needle Aspiration Cystology
During a fine-needle aspiration, the doctor inserts a thin needle into the breast lump and attempts to withdraw (aspirate) fluid. Often, fine-needle aspiration is done using ultrasound to guide accurate placement of the needle.
∆ Mammography
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray that allows specialists to look for changes in breast tissue
TREATMENT
✓No treatment is necessary for fluid-filled (simple) breast cysts if the person haven’t reached menopause, the doctor may recommend closely monitoring a breast cyst to see if it resolves on its own.
✓Fine-needle aspiration Fine-needle aspiration, the procedure used to diagnose a breast cyst, also may serve as treatment if the doctor removes all the fluid from the cyst at the time of diagnosis, the breast lump disappears and symptoms resolve.
✓Hormone use birth control pills (oral contraceptives) to regulate the menstrual cycles may help reduce the recurrence of breast cysts.
✓Surgical removal of a cyst is necessary only in unusual circumstances.
TAMILNADU NURSING 