From: healthline.com
Finding a breast lump can be unsettling, but most breast lumps aren’t cancerous. Very often, these lumps turn out to be fluid-filled cysts.
There are some characteristics that can help differentiate a cyst from a tumor. Even so, it’s important that you see your doctor about breast lumps so you can get the right diagnosis.
In this article, we explain some of the key differences between breast cysts and tumors and how an ultrasound can help determine which one it is.
Breast cysts form when there’s a fluid buildup. There may be a connection between cysts and fluctuating hormone levels, but the exact cause isn’t clear.
These fluid-filled sacs are common, especially among females assigned at birth (FAABs) in their 40s. They can be too small to feel or see without imaging (microcysts) or grow very large (macrocysts).
The symptoms may change during your menstrual cycle and include lumps, tenderness, and pain.
Cysts can be simple, complex, or complicatedTrusted Source:
- Simple cysts: These cysts have smooth borders and thin walls and are totally filled with fluid. They’re always benign. Cysts that form due to fibrocystic changes are simple cysts.
- Complex cysts: Unlike simple cysts, complex cysts have irregular borders, thick walls, and some solid matter within the fluid. Most are benign.
- Complicated cysts: These cysts are somewhere in between simple and complex. They don’t have thick walls, but they may have some solid matter within the fluid. Most are benign.
How long does a breast cyst last?
Many breast cysts will resolve on their own, especially after menopause. However, how long they last varies from person to person, and in some people, they can persist.
A tumor of the breast is a solid mass that can be cancerous or noncancerous.
Noncancerous breast tumors
Noncancerous breast tumors are made up of abnormal cells. They’re benign, which means that although they can grow, they can’t spread to other parts of your body.
The most common types of benign breast tumors include:
Learn more: When is a breast lump benign?
Cancerous breast tumors
Cancerous tumors contain damaged DNA and produce abnormal cells that can invade healthy tissue. They may also spread to other organs through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
MostTrusted Source breast cancers are adenocarcinomas. A ductal carcinoma starts in the milk ducts, and a lobular carcinoma starts in the milk-producing lobules.
Rare types of cancerous breast tumorsTrusted Source include:
- soft tissue sarcoma
- metaplastic tumors
- phyllodes tumor
Learn more: What are the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer?Trusted Source
How do I tell the difference between breast cysts and cancer?
If you have a breast lump, it’s important that you have a doctor make the diagnosis as soon as possible.
While there are some telltale differences between a cyst and a tumor, these differences can be subtle. Plus, there are always exceptions to these norms.
Noncancerous breast lumps or cysts may be:
- painful
- soft and smooth
- easily moved within your breast tissue
They may also change with your menstrual cycle.
Cancerous breast lumps or cystsTrusted Source may be:
- painless
- hard and firm
- not easily moved within your breast tissue
In this case, they’re not going to change with your menstrual cycle.
A physical exam can give your doctor a general idea of whether you’re dealing with a cyst or a tumor.
The next step is usually an ultrasound test.
If sound waves pass right through the lump, that means it’s filled with liquid and is a simple cyst. If the soundwaves echo back, it means there’s at least some solid matter, and more testing will be needed to reach a diagnosis.
If the ultrasound shows a complex or complicated cyst, the next steps may include:
- a mammogram or MRI to get a better view of the entire breast
- aspiration or draining the cyst with a fine needle to see if the fluid contains any blood or unusual cells.
- a biopsy to determine if the solid areas are cancerous or benign
In an estimated 1.6 million breast biopsies a year in the United States, 75%Trusted Source are benign.
A simple cyst is no cause for concern and doesn’t necessarily need to be treated. Your doctor may suggest a “wait and see” approach because cysts sometimes go away on their own.
For cysts that continue to cause discomfort, your doctor can drain the cyst or surgically remove it.
According to the American Cancer SocietyTrusted Source, simple cysts do not increase your risk of developing breast cancer, but there’s a small chance that complex cysts may.
A 2019 study found that an estimated 30%Trusted Source of breast cancer cases were in people who had a history of benign breast disease.
If you’re concerned about your breast cancer risk or if you have a family history of breast disease, talk with your doctor about how and when you should get screened, and whether there are any other precautions you should take.
Can breast cysts turn into cancer?
Having fibrosis or simple cysts in your breasts does not increaseTrusted Source your likelihood of developing breast cancer in the future.
However, there is a slight possibility that more complex cysts could potentially contain cancer or increase your chance of developing breast cancer later on. This depends on the exact characteristics of your cyst as seen on a biopsy.
Barbara Jacoby is an award winning blogger that has contributed her writings to multiple online publications that have touched readers worldwide.