Breast cyst

The mammary gland cyst can be a single pathological cavity, and multiple cysts can also form in the gland.

In the mammary gland, both benign cysts and formations containing fatty or atypical cells are diagnosed. Fat formation is a common adipose, which develops due to blockage of sebaceous ducts. It can become inflamed, but does not pose a threat to health.

[1], [2], [3]

Causes of the cysts of the breast

• Failures, disruptions in the functioning of the hormonal, endocrine system, both age-related and medically induced (contraceptive therapy, hormone replacement therapy for gynecological diseases). 
• The cyst may be triggered by a disorder in the functioning of the ovaries (PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrome). 
• The cyst is provoked by endocrine disorders, chronic dysfunction of the thyroid gland. 
• Neoplasms can be provoked by inflammatory processes of the genital organs - inflammation of the fallopian tubes, ovaries (adnexitis). 
• The cyst can be provoked by the inflammatory process in the inner layer of the uterus - the endometritis.

Symptoms of the cysts of the breast

Female breast structure is predisposed to the accumulation of liquid contents in the ducts, since it consists of specific fibrous, fatty and glandular tissues. As a rule, all cysts developing in the chest are relatively harmless, since they are a kind of reaction to the hormonal changes associated with the age of the woman. The mammary gland cyst may not appear clinically for many years, but when it grows, there are both painful sensations and a burning sensation, especially at the beginning of the menstrual cycle.

A cyst is a benign formation that is almost never malignant, that is, it does not translate into an oncological process. However, an inflamed breast cyst, or a large formation containing pus, significantly increases the risk of oncoprocess. Cancer can develop against a background of chronic mastopathy, one of the symptoms of which are the cysts of the gland.

The cyst of the breast can be different in size parameters - from a few millimeters to a giant size, exceeding 5-7 centimeters.

At the first stage of development, especially in reproductive age, small, single neoplasms do not manifest themselves either in pain or discomfort and are determined by ultrasound scanning of the mammary glands (mammography) during planned examinations. If the cyst of the breast begins to increase or thicken, then it can be palpated with your fingers. That is why recently many medical and public organizations began to promote methods of independent examination (palpation) of the mammary glands, which significantly reduces the risk of degeneration of tumors into malignant forms and makes it possible to begin treatment in the early stages of the pathological process. Among the main symptoms that are characteristic of breast cysts, we can name the following: 

1. Small nodules in the chest, which can be fingered. These formations are mobile, to the touch small (the size of a cherry stone) and have a rounded shape. 
2. Painful nodules, which when probed cause a slight discomfort. 
3. Formations that increase with the onset of the menstrual cycle. 
4. After the end of the monthly cycle, the nodules become noticeably smaller and less sensitive. 
5. If the cyst increases and exceeds 3-4 centimeters, it is noticeable with the naked eye, since both the shape of the breast and its size change. 
6. If the cyst is inflamed and inflamed, there may be a fever, an increase in lymph nodes in the armpits.

Although the breast cyst is considered to be a benign entity, it can be one of the attendant provoking factors that cause a more serious disease - oncology. As soon as the woman has found out incomprehensible seals in the chest, she should immediately go to the gynecologist and undergo a mammogram procedure. Early diagnosis helps to relatively quickly and painlessly eliminate the pathological process and reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

[4], [5], [6], [7]

Forms

Cysts are divided into typical and atypical. In typical formations, the walls of the cavity are fairly even and do not contain additional inclusions. Atypical cyst of the breast is characterized by multiple small formations inside the capsule, on the walls of the cavity.

Cysts are divided into single and multiple formations. The most dangerous polycystic formations, which can be called as cystic fibroadenomatosis, Veljaminov's disease (an outdated term is the same as Reclus's disease). Polycysticosis often grows into extensive multi-chambered formations that fill more than half of the breast.

[8], [9]

Diagnostics of the cysts of the breast

Diagnosis of mammary glands is carried out in two ways - with the help of an independent monthly examination and with the help of professional diagnostic techniques. 

All representatives of the beautiful half of humanity should regularly conduct an independent breast examination - palpation. If small seals are detected, it is necessary to confirm the presence of cysts with the help of mammography. Even if the woman was mistaken and reinsured, assuming for the cyst swelling of the gland caused by recent menstruation, the examination in any case will not be superfluous. Technique of palpation: 

• Visual thorough examination for unusual seals, changes in breast size, redness and discharge from the nipples. 
• Palpation is performed in the supine or sitting position. 
• To probe every gland follows, preferably with two hands, starting from the nipple region, then, moving from the upper quarter of the chest in a clockwise direction, the whole gland should be palpated. 
• Palpation is carried out by movements from the center to the periphery. 
• If there is a suspicion of seals, palpation should be carried out with one, the opposite hand, the second one should be lowered down, to avoid straining the muscles of the chest. 
• In addition to the glands, you should check the condition of the lymph nodes in the armpits and above the clavicle.

If an independent examination reveals nodules similar to a cyst, the diagnosis is confirmed by a gynecologist - mammologist with the help of additional, more specific examination methods - radiography, mammography, ultrasound scanning and, if necessary, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the breast. If the doctor suspects a cyst with internal inclusions (papillomas), a biopsy can be performed, which is performed with the help of an ultrasound device and a sensor that controls the aspiration puncturing process. In gynecological practice for more than 60 years used pneumocystography - a method specially created for the diagnosis of cysts. The cyst of the breast is very small, not more than one centimeter, and this method allows to reveal even such small formations, in addition, pneumocystography makes it possible to study the internal contents of the cavity, its walls and determine the effective treatment tactics. The procedure consists of three stages: 

• The cyst is punctured, its contents are sucked off using a special needle, the cystic fluid is examined for abnormal cells. 
• The cyst is filled with air, which after 5-7 days resolves. 
• After this, a mammogram is mandatory.

The histology of the contents of simple cysts, as a rule, does not determine the presence of the cell mass. If a histological examination reveals epithelial cells in the cystic content, this may indicate the development of the tumor process. By the composition and condition of the aspiration fluid taken from the cyst, the doctor can judge the presence or absence of inflammation in the cyst cavity. With purulent cysts, additional tests can be performed to examine the condition of the blood and the hormonal system.

[10], [11], [12], [13]

Treatment of the cysts of the breast

As a rule, early diagnosis allows you to treat neoplasms with a medicamentous method aimed at restoring the functions of the hormonal system. If the cyst is already formed and appears on the mammogram as a visible echogenic cavity, aspiration puncture is performed, then the emptied cavity is sclerized with the introduction of special medication.

This method is indicated if the mammary gland cyst is diagnosed as simple, unicellular without pathological signs. If polycystosis is determined, and histology confirms the presence of atypical epithelial cells, sometimes a more serious operation is performed, partial resection of the gland sector. Sectoral surgery involves general anesthesia and is performed in a hospital setting. This method of neutralizing cysts is necessary to exclude the risk of malignancy of the neoplasm and does not affect the function of the gland in the sense of possible breastfeeding.

The mammary gland cyst is a common disease diagnosed in gynecological clinical practice. Neoplasms are almost never transformed into an oncological process, but they can aggravate inflammatory diseases such as mastopathy and adenomatosis, so they should be detected and treated in a timely manner.