What is a "breast cyst" and a "breast cyst aspiration"?

What is a "breast cyst" and a "breast cyst aspiration"?

Richard E. Gould (Hematologist/Oncologist, Cedars-Sinai Outpatient Cancer Center) gives expert video advice on: What are the most common types of breast cancer?; What causes breast cancer?; Is breast cancer fatal? and more...

A breast cyst is a fluid collection that occurs inside the breast tissue and it can oftentimes be felt as a lump or as a mass which initially can be concerning because of the possibility of breast cancer. On further evaluation with a mammogram and ultrasound, this lump or mass is found to be a fluid filled collection. Oftentimes what is used to treat this is breast cyst aspiration which is where a small needle is inserted into the cyst and the fluid is withdrawn. If the fluid is clear there is nothing further to do except to just observe the breast and make sure that the cyst does not return. If the fluid comes back bloody then it needs to be evaluated for any atypical cells or cancer cells underneath the microscope, and the breast has to be followed more closely to make sure that it's not breast cancer or that breast cancer does not develop there. However, as a rule, simple breast cysts are benign; they are not cancerous.