Typical treatment involves a Needle aspiration biopsy which is typically done with a 10 cc syringe attached to a fine needle aspiration needle. Fine needle aspiration allows retrieval of cytological samples that can be sent for pathological review to determine if the cyst is benign or malignant. Aspirated cysts often recur (come back); definitive treatment may require surgery. During an excisional biopsy an incision is made around the mass creating a superior and inferior flap. The mass is dissected out followed by confirmation of hemostasis. Once hemostasis is confirmed the wound is closed with an absorbable suture. The mass is then sent to pathology for review. Pathology can help determine if the surgeon needs to dissect a bigger margin. Draining the fluid and then waiting for the cyst to resolve is the main treatment applied in these cases. Moreover, if cysts are aspirated and the fluid looks normal, they do not require any other medical attention apart from following-up to make sure they have completely disappeared. Hormone therapy, by the means of oral contraceptives, is sometimes prescribed to reduce their recurrence and to regulate the menstrual cycle of the patient (which is likely to cause them in the first place). Danazol may also be prescribed to treat this condition and it is usually considered in patients on whom the non-medical treatment fails and the symptoms are intense. Surgical removal of a breast cyst is necessary only in a few unusual circumstances.
A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac within the breast. One breast can have one or more breast cysts. They are often described as round or oval lumps with distinct edges. In texture, a breast cyst usually feels like a soft grape or a water-filled balloon, but sometimes a breast cyst feels firm.Breast cysts can be painful and may be worrisome but are generally benign. They are most common in pre-menopausal women in their 30s or 40s. They usually disappear after menopause, but may persist or reappear when using hormone therapy. They are also common in adolescents. Breast cysts can be part of fibrocystic disease. The pain and swelling is usually worse in the second half of the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy. Treating breast cysts is usually not necessary unless they are painful or cause discomfort. In most cases, the discomfort they cause may be alleviated by draining the fluid from the cyst. The cysts form as a result of the growth of the milk glands and their size may range from smaller than a pea to larger than a ping pong ball. While some large cysts feel like lumps, most cysts cannot be identified during physical examinations. Breast cysts are not to be confused with "milk cysts" (galactoceles), which usually appear during weaning.