Question 1

i was recently told i had benign breast cysts and not to worry.. are they the same as nodules? because nodules seem dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Important: Nodules can include benign cysts, fibroadenomas, cancers.
Cysts rarely are cancer.
Regular exams and mammograms are important.

Question 2

what's the difference between a breast nodule and a breast cyst?

Accepted Answer

Solid v Fluid-Filled: A "nodule" is a generic term for a breast lump. Common causes include "lumpy-bumpy" breast tissue ("fibrocystic changes"), tumors (benign or malignant), and cysts (fluid-filled;benign).  A thorough history and physical examination supplemented by ultrasound+/-mammography+/-biopsy will help sort this out.

Question 3

five cysts and one solid nodule found in my breast. is it serious? need to remove it or wait for another check up after four months?

Accepted Answer

Depends...: It all depends on what was reported in the mammogram and ultrasound of your breast. In some cases the recommendation is just to repeat test in a few months in order to see if the cyst and nodule change and if they do most likely require biopsy/ removal. In any case, consult with surgeon is a good idea especially if nodule is palpable.

Question 4

mammogram showed bilateral normal calcs.  l. breast 4  sm cysts and 1 nodule .1mm that couldn't be determined on u/s.  biop. scheduled.  chance of ca?

Accepted Answer

Mammogram: If a mass seen on mammogram shows signs such as calcifications, cysts, masses etc that are associated with cancer, a biopsy will be recommended to know for sure. However these findings can also be seen in normal tissue. Only a biopsy will tell for sure. Try to relax for now and I would recommend following through with the biopsy

Question 5

my friends utz result is: in her right breast it has multiple cyst and in her left breast it has hypoechoic solid nodule. what does it mean? thanks

Accepted Answer

Cysts: are a benign finding.  A hypoechoic solid nodule is a solid mass.  The chance that it is malignant, and the proper recommendation for follow up, depends upon various ultrasound, mammographic, and clinical findings that are not mentioned in the question.  How was it described in the report?  It could need no follow-up, short interval followup, more imaging, or biopsy.  Simply not enough info.

Question 6

breast nodule or a cyst? i just had a breast ultrasound and was first told they saw a nodule, but then later said is probably a cyst and that it may have even exploded. what does this all mean? what is the difference between a nodule and a cyst?

Accepted Answer

A : A cyst is a contained fluid collection; it usually has a thin outer capsule or rim. A nodule is entirely composed of soft tissue. A cyst can be drained; a nodule cannot be drained because it consists of solid tissue. On mammography, cysts and nodules can have the exact same appearance. However, ultrasound is excellent at differentiating between fluid and solid, and cysts appear very different from nodules on ultrasound. Cysts within the breasts are always benign. If a cyst ruptures, the fluid within the cyst is released and leaks in this surrounding tissue; it is usually then reabsorbed by the body.

Question 7

i'm 53 had breast augmentation 17 years ago.  during my yearly mammogram in may 2017 nodules were detected as well as a small cyst in the left 3'oclock measuring 4.5mm.  i was told to have routine mammographic follow-up. told discovery rules changed.

Accepted Answer

2nd opinion: Get a 2nd opinion as to whether the nodules and cyst present require more than just "routine follow up mammography".  Cosmetic breast surgery can obscure many cancers that are present in the remaining breast tissue and waiting one year, if cancerous, would not be advisable due to possible progression.

Question 8

radiologist says possibly benign from  ultrasound septated left breast cyst 1.4cm x 2.8cm. no solid nodule and no internal flow. is this serious?/bad

Accepted Answer

"Probably benign": is the BIRADS classification(category 3)you are referring to.  By definition, this implies a chance of malignancy less than 3%, and practically speaking it is probably more like 1%.  The standard recommendation for a category 3 lesion is short interval follow up. Many consider a septated cyst a BIRADS 2(benign) lesion requiring no follow up, so the overwhelming probability is that you will be fine

Question 9

4 hypoechoic nodules in left breast sep20. complex cyst same breast april21 wid dimple over it follow up due in oct. i booked appt with breast surgeon due to stress instead.my question is i dont feel cyst but dimple is there.wat to expect at appt?

Accepted Answer

: Recommendation could be to observe with repeat interval imaging, or more /better imaging now or even a biopsy could be recommended.

Question 10

my radiologist ultrasound -- bi-rad 3 possibly benign for septated cyst on left breast 1.4cm x 2.8 cm, no internal flow, no solid nodule..is it really benign? why the word possibly benign? last day period felt pain/lump, 2days after no pain just lump

Accepted Answer

Histology: Radiology is not the definitive way to make a diagnosis of a breast mass/cyst. The radiologist is using the term, "possibly benign" out of caution. You should consult with your doctor to ascertain if the lesion needs to be removed and sent to a pathologist for definitive evaluation.
Wish you good health!

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Doctor answers about:

Breast nodule vs cyst

A member asked:

I was recently told i had benign breast cysts and not to worry.. are they the same as nodules? because nodules seem dangerous?

A member asked:

What's the difference between a breast nodule and a breast cyst?

A member asked:

Five cysts and one solid nodule found in my breast. is it serious? need to remove it or wait for another check up after four months?

A member asked:

Mammogram showed bilateral normal calcs. l. breast 4 sm cysts and 1 nodule .1mm that couldn't be determined on u/s. biop. scheduled. chance of ca?

A member asked:

My friends utz result is: in her right breast it has multiple cyst and in her left breast it has hypoechoic solid nodule. what does it mean? thanks

A member asked:

Breast nodule or a cyst? i just had a breast ultrasound and was first told they saw a nodule, but then later said is probably a cyst and that it may have even exploded. what does this all mean? what is the difference between a nodule and a cyst?

A member asked:

I'm 53 had breast augmentation 17 years ago. during my yearly mammogram in may 2017 nodules were detected as well as a small cyst in the left 3'oclock measuring 4.5mm. i was told to have routine mammographic follow-up. told discovery rules changed.

A member asked:

Radiologist says possibly benign from ultrasound septated left breast cyst 1.4cm x 2.8cm. no solid nodule and no internal flow. is this serious?/bad

A member asked:

4 hypoechoic nodules in left breast sep20. complex cyst same breast april21 wid dimple over it follow up due in oct. i booked appt with breast surgeon due to stress instead.my question is i dont feel cyst but dimple is there.wat to expect at appt?

A member asked:

My radiologist ultrasound -- bi-rad 3 possibly benign for septated cyst on left breast 1.4cm x 2.8 cm, no internal flow, no solid nodule..is it really benign? why the word possibly benign? last day period felt pain/lump, 2days after no pain just lump

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