BENIGN BREAST DISORDERS:

Simple Cysts

Etiology: Fluid-filled masses 2/2 distension/obstruction of efferent ductules

Epidemidology: Peak incidence between age 35-50; Prevalence 30-40% all women; Sensitive to hormone action/changes; No subsequent breast cancer risk                                                                        

Clinical presentation: Painful palpable masses or asymptomatic abnormality on imaging; Tend to fluctuate in size, number, magnitude of symptoms over time

Imaging:

–     US: Circumscribed; anechoic; posterior acoustic enhancement; no solid component, no thick walls/septa, and no internal vascularity

–     Mammogram: Uniformly dense (discoid w/compression), round/ovoid shape, circumscribed margins

Management: No intervention needed; Fine needle aspiration (FNA) for symptomatic relief, with single, short term follow-up ultrasound to assess for temporal stability

(Ikeda 2010, Georgian-Smith 2014, Sabel 2015)