Breast Information

Fibrosis and Simple Cysts in the Breast

 Many breast lumps turn out to be caused by fibrosis and/or cysts, which are non-cancerous (benign) changes in breast tissue that happen in many women at some time in their lives. These changes are sometimes called fibrocystic changes, and used to be called fibrocystic disease.

Fibrosis and/or cysts are most common in women of childbearing age, but they can affect women of any age. They may be found in different parts of the breast and in both breasts at the same time.

 Fibrosis

 Fibrocystic breast disease, commonly called fibrocystic breasts or fibrocystic change, is a benign (noncancerous) condition in which the breasts feel lumpy.

Fibrocystic breasts aren’t harmful or dangerous, but may be bothersome or uncomfortable for some women. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than half of women will develop fibrocystic breast disease at some point in their lives. Many women with fibrocystic breasts will not have any associated symptoms.

Although it isn’t harmful to have fibrocystic breasts, this condition can make the detection of breast cancer more challenging

If you have fibrocystic breasts, you may have more pronounced changes in response to these hormones. This can result in swelling and tender or painful breast lumps. Symptoms are most common just before or during your period. In addition to lumps in your breasts caused by cysts and swelling of your breast lobules, the milk-producing glands, you may also feel a lumpy thickening in your breast caused by an excess growth of fibrous tissue.

Any woman can get fibrocystic breast disease, but it most commonly occurs in women in their 30s to 50s. Birth control pills may reduce your symptoms, and hormone therapy may increase them. Symptoms typically improve or resolve after menopause.Fibrosis refers to a large amount of fibrous tissue, the same tissue that ligaments and scar tissue are made of. Areas of fibrosis feel rubbery, firm, or hard to the touch.

Cysts

A round, movable lump, especially one that’s tender to the touch, suggests a cyst. Cysts are fluid-filled, round or oval sacs within the breasts. They are most often found in women in their 40s , but they can occur in women of any age. Monthly hormone changes often cause cysts to get bigger and become painful and more noticeable just before the menstrual period.

Cysts start out from fluid building up inside the breast glands. Microcysts (tiny, microscopic cysts) are too small to feel and are found only when tissue is looked at under a microscope. If fluid continues to build up, macrocysts (large cysts) can form. These can be felt easily and can be as large as 1 or 2 inches across. As they grow, the breast tissue around the cyst may stretch and be painful.

Most often, fibrocystic changes are diagnosed based on symptoms, such as breast lumps, swelling, and tenderness or pain. These symptoms tend to be worse just before a woman’s menstrual period begins, and may change as you move through different stages of your menstrual cycle. Your breasts may feel lumpy and, sometimes, you may notice a clear or slightly cloudy nipple discharge.

Sometimes, one of the lumps might feel firmer or have other features that lead to a concern about cancer. When this happens, an ultrasound may be done to make sure that the lump is a simple fluid-filled cyst. If the ultrasound isn’t clear, a biopsy may be needed to make sure that it’s not cancer

Most women with fibrocystic changes and without bothersome symptoms do not need treatment, but they might be watched closely.

Neither fibrosis nor cysts increase your risk of later developing breast cancer

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR?

When you should call your doctor, if you experience any of the following symptoms. They may be signs of breast cancer:

new or unusual lumps in your breasts
redness or puckering of the skin on your breasts
discharge from your nipple, especially if it’s clear, red, or bloody
an indentation or flattening of your nipple.