The exact causes of cysts are not known, but they do tend to change with hormonal variations, either during normal menstrual cycles or from post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy . Cysts do not become cancer or increase the risk of cancer. Most of the time, cysts may be left alone, but sometimes a physician may drain them with a small needle using ultrasound guidance. This procedure is called cyst aspiration . Image shows sharp cystic walls and internal septation by cyst membrane.
Image shows subtle contents within cyst.
Large cyst with layered debris and a solid component. Panoramic view of a simple breast cyst within the glandular layer of breast tissue. Patient with multiple cysts and other masses that indicate breast disease. Ultrasound shows the relationship of the dominant cyst to other masses in this patient. One application of breast ultrasound involves differentiating simple cysts from solid masses.