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 my options for breast reconstruction?; What are my options if I don't want to reconstruct my breast? and more...

A breast cyst is a fluid collection that occurs inside the breast tissue and it can often be felt as a lump or as a mass which initially can be concerned with a breast cancer, but on further evaluation with mammogram and ultrasound the breast cyst is found to be a fluid-built collection. Often times what's used to treat this is a breast cyst aspiration which is where a small needle is inserted into the cyst and the fluid is withdrawn. If the fluid from the cyst is clear, there is nothing further to do except observe the breast and make sure that the cyst does not return. If the fluid from the cyst comes back bloody, then it needs to be evaluated for any atypical cells or cancerous cells underneath the microscope and the breast has to be followed more closely to be sure that it's not breast cancer or that breast cancer does not develop there. But as a rule, simple breast cysts are benign, they are not cancerous.