Breast Cyst
Lumps felt in the breast can be a sign of breast cancer. Therefore, women become worried when they encounter such a situation. Most lumps appear in the second half of the menstrual cycle and shrink and disappear with menstruation. These lumps are most likely what we call breast cysts. However, any lump detected in the breast should definitely be investigated due to the possibility of breast cancer.
A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac. It may appear in the second half of the menstrual cycle and can cause pain. Their size can sometimes reach 3-5 cm in diameter. The fluid inside growing cysts is drained with a syringe needle to relieve pain. The structure of the cysts is determined by breast ultrasound.
Simple Breast Cyst: In these cysts, the breast is smooth. The fluid inside has the same structure; it is regular. There is no vascular structure. There is no possibility of it turning into cancer.
Complicated Breast Cyst: This refers to several cysts clustered together to form a grape-cluster appearance, or several divided structures within a single cyst.
Cyst with Breast Wall Protrusion: There may be a protrusion from the cyst wall into the cyst itself. In such a case, a cancer investigation should be performed.
Breast Cyst with Dense Content: Sometimes the fluid inside a breast cyst can be very dense. These types of masses are called dense breast cysts. It is not possible to determine whether it is filled with fluid or a solid mass filled with cells. Therefore, it should be monitored at short intervals.
Breast Cyst with Irregular Internal Structure: This type of breast cyst may contain bleeding or tissue remnants. The fluid inside is irregular. It should be monitored.
Diagnosis of Breast Cysts
The most important information to obtain about any mass detected in the breast is whether it is filled with fluid (i.e., a cyst) or cells (i.e., a solid). This information is easily obtained with a breast ultrasound. If an ultrasound cannot be performed, the mass is inserted with a syringe and the structure inside is extracted. If fluid comes out, it means there is a cyst inside the mass; if not, it is a solid mass.
Treatment of Breast Cysts
Most cysts do not require treatment. If it is a simple cyst, it does not even need to be monitored. If it is a complicated or dense cyst, it is monitored with ultrasounds at approximately 6-month intervals. If the fluid inside the cyst is irregular, granular, or bloody, the fluid is drained with a syringe and examined in pathology. If necessary, the cyst should be surgically removed and examined.
Solid Mass in the Breast
Some masses seen in the breast are filled with cells, as mentioned above. These types of masses are called
solid mass. Some solid masses carry a risk of cancer, while others do not. They are divided into two types in this way. Those containing atypical cells have a higher risk of cancer. The normal appearance of these cells is altered. In other words, it is the last stage before turning into cancer cells. Atypical cells do not necessarily turn into cancer, but they carry a higher risk than normal cells. For example, in women with an increase in atypical cells and a first-degree relative with breast cancer, the risk is 20 percent, while in those without a family history of breast cancer, this rate is 8 percent. There is also a very small risk in solid masses that do not contain atypical cells.
Fibroadenoma
Fibroadenoma is the most common solid mass in the breast. It is mostly seen in young women. It manifests itself as a palpable mass in the breast. It usually does not cause pain. Although sources show that a very small number of them turn into cancer, they are considered masses that do not turn into breast cancer.
Fibroadenomas are on average 1-2 cm in size. Rarely, they can grow up to 15 cm. They tend to grow during pregnancy and shrink during menopause. In other words, they are sensitive to hormonal changes.
Fibroadenoma Diagnosis
Fibroadenomas can be diagnosed with mammography and ultrasound. The content of the mass is examined with breast ultrasound. However, a definitive diagnosis is made by taking a biopsy from the mass in the breast.
Fibroadenoma Treatment
Fibroadenoma is either monitored or treated with surgery. There is no drug treatment. If the mass has irregularities in its appearance, a cauliflower-like appearance, excessive vascularization, or an irregular (homogeneous) internal structure, it can be surgically removed or broken up with a needle. If there are no such irregularities, checking every 6 months or 1 year is sufficient.
Phylloid Tumor
Phylloid tumors clinically present with symptoms similar to fibroadenoma, but grow faster. They are usually diagnosed during examination or on mammography, but this is not definitive. Definitive diagnosis is made with surgically removed tissue. It is painless. Its borders are regular. It is divided into two types: benign and malignant tumors. Both types have a high probability of recurrence. Malignant phylloid tumors, which have a higher risk of recurrence than benign ones, can sometimes spread to the lungs.
Radial Scar
The radial scar, which forms in the wall of the milk duct, has extensions that spread into the breast tissue. Although it may appear similar to cancer on a mammogram, it is usually not cancer. However, the risk of cancer can be eliminated by surgical removal. The risk of breast cancer is higher in individuals with radial scarring. Therefore, patients should be monitored frequently.
