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 cancerous. 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.
A local anesthetic is given and then the doctor inserts a needle into the breast lump. If the doctor is able to remove fluid from the lump, the fluid is tested for cancerous cells. Removing the fluid also makes the lump go away. If fluid cannot be removed from the lump, a breast biopsy may be done. After a local anesthetic is given, the doctor makes a cut in the breast to remove the tissue forming the lump.