The first sign of breast cancer is usually a lump in the breast. At this time in the course of the disease there are generally no other symptoms. Most breast lumps are not cancer. Often they are fluid-filled cysts within the breast tissue that wax and wane with the menstrual cycle. But every lump must be evaluated.
Needle aspiration is a method for diagnosing breast cysts.
After you are given a local anesthetic, the doctor inserts a needle into the breast lump. If the doctor is able to remove fluid, the lump is a fluid-filled cyst and not cancer. Removing the fluid also makes the lump go away. If fluid cannot be removed from the lump, a breast biopsy may be done. The doctor will give you a local anesthetic, make a cut in the breast, and remove the tissue forming the lump.