Many women are faced with such a problem as a breast cyst. A photo of this neoplasm allows us to understand the reasons for the excitement about this disease of the fairer sex. Considering the fact that this problem cannot be called very rare, it is worth paying attention to it and understanding what the possible consequences are and what the actual treatment is.
What is it about
Before talking in detail about a cyst, it makes sense to decide what it is. This term is used to describe a cavity that is located in the mammary gland and is filled with liquid contents. It cannot cause inflammation, and therefore there is no pus discharge with such a problem either.
Breast cyst is more common in young women and disappears after menopause. Such a pathology may disturb a longer period of time in the case of hormone replacement therapy.
The size of the cyst can be completely different - from a few millimeters to 2 centimeters. During palpation, it manifests itself as a formation with a flat surface and medium density. In relation to adjacent tissues, a cyst can be defined assedentary.
Sometimes the appearance of such a neoplasm in the breast may not have obvious signs. Negative sensations will be reduced to soreness and a slight burning sensation in the chest area before the onset of menstruation.
Cyst in the mammary glands - is it dangerous?
This question arises immediately after the discovery of such a formation. Fortunately, the answer does not carry extremely negative forecasts: the cyst does not pose a threat to life. But this does not mean that this problem can be ignored.
It should be understood that if the resulting cavity is left without attention, then over time there will be a risk of infection entering the liquid. This, in turn, will lead to suppuration with all the ensuing consequences. It is also necessary to take into account the possibility of cyst growth, as a result of which the mammary gland can be deformed. The following information cannot be ignored: according to some doctors, a cyst in the chest area can eventually lead to the development of a cancerous tumor.
Therefore, trying to answer the question: “A cyst in the mammary glands - is it dangerous?”, You need to understand that in the future you can face very unpleasant consequences if you do not affect this problem in any way. But you should not be afraid, because with current technologies, such formations are detected at the earliest stages and neutralized without any problems. The main thing is not to ignore professional diagnostics.
Reasons for appearance
Breast cyst is a problem that occurs due to severalfactors. The most important of these is hormonal imbalance.
This is the time to remember the increase in estrogen levels. This problem can occur for several reasons:
- constant stress and significant nervous tension;
- thyroid disease;
- inflammatory diseases related to the genitourinary system.
There is every reason to expect a cyst when using hormonal contraceptives for a long period of time (with a large number of pregnancies, breast surgery and mastitis).
As for the process that results in the formation of a breast cyst, it has a fairly simple algorithm. The structure of the gland itself includes 15 lobes of glandular tissue. These lobes are divided into smaller areas responsible for milk production both during childbearing and in the period after childbirth. Milk enters the nipple from a special "reservoir", and initially gets there through special ducts. Sometimes some areas of the tissue can grow so much that the ducts become blocked. This moment is the beginning of the formation of a cyst in the mammary gland. The reasons for this growth were discussed above.
How symptoms appear
Feelings can vary greatly, depending on where exactly the cyst is located and what size it is. Small formations may not actually cause discomfort and are detected by the doctor duringnext preventive examination. If there are several cysts, they grow and cause deformation, then, of course, it will be difficult not to notice them. In this case, the following complaints can be heard from patients:
- pains that were temporary become permanent (relevant for rounded cysts);
- breast deformity;
- chest heaviness and tightness felt just before menstruation, a few days before.
It is also worth knowing the symptoms of inflammation and suppuration:
- change in temperature of one mammary gland, the appearance of heat in a particular place;
- general signs of intoxication (malaise, fever) let you know about yourself;
- pain appears in the sternum and spreads beyond the breast;
- redness and cyanosis observed on the skin;
- axillary nodes increase.
Types of formations
It should be understood that a breast cyst can have several types. First of all, we are talking about single and multiple formations. Moreover, it is possible to increase several chambers, which divides cysts into multi-chamber and single-chamber. An atypical formation is called if the capsule has growths from the inside. But the classification is not limited to this. Other forms are possible:
- Solitary. This formation has an elastic consistency and a rounded shape.
- Fat. This species is fixed in the sebaceous glands and often becomes the cause of inflammatory processes. Positivethe side of such education is that it does not affect the lactation process.
- Ductal. Often, such a diagnosis is faced by women who are in the premenopausal period. If the ductal cyst is not de alt with, then there is a risk that over time it will develop into a tumor, moreover, a malignant one.
Diagnostic Methods
Obviously it's a bad idea to ignore a problem like a breast cyst. It is dangerous to leave in the body a potential cause of suppuration or a malignant tumor. Therefore, at the first symptoms, you need to undergo a diagnosis.
The first and easiest technique is professional palpation. An experienced doctor will be able to detect small formations. Breast ultrasound or mammography will help clarify the situation.
In the event that the accuracy of the diagnosis is still doubtful, it is worth doing a chest MRI. If necessary, the doctor may take a biopsy. A sample sampling is necessary in order to accurately determine the nature of the formation.
Breast cyst: treatment
It is possible to effectively influence this problem if the patient's condition is completely clear to the doctor. Therefore, before prescribing specific procedures, the endocrinologist and gynecologist jointly determine whether the patient has disorders of the endocrine glands and genital organs. Correction is made only after the cause of the hormonal imbalance is clarified.
If the formation is small, then the choice can be made towards the conservativetherapy.
The essence of the traditional treatment of cysts is the use of fine needle puncture, through which the cavity is pierced with subsequent extraction of fluid. As the next stage, sclerotherapy can be called: in the cavity of the mammary gland, which is already freed from fluid, agents are introduced that promote obliteration of the cyst.
After all the procedures are completed, the patient will have to be observed by a mammologist and constantly examine her mammary glands. For these purposes, as a rule, ultrasound is used. Such measures avoid the re-formation of a cavity with liquid inside.
Surgery
Surgery is a method of influencing a cyst, which is used when absolutely necessary. Surgical treatment may be relevant if the formation contains bloody forms of fluid or is large.
Multiple or multi-chamber cysts are also enough reason to remember the scalpel. There are other reasons why surgery may be indicated:
- the presence of an atypical epithelium in the growth cavity;
- cancer that was recorded earlier in history.
With these two factors, a sectorial resection of the breast is performed, as a result of which the cyst is completely removed. Upon completion of the operation, the surgeon applies a cosmetic suture, which after the rehabilitation period will be virtually invisible. for breastfeeding andmilk production will not be adversely affected by the operation.
Alternative methods
If a cyst was found in the mammary glands, folk remedies should not be taken as a full-fledged method of treatment. Initially, it is better to abandon the thought of solving such a problem on your own. But in addition to the prescribed treatment, with the permission of a qualified doctor, you can look at a few proven recipes.
- You need to take a few pieces of beets, boil them, peel them, then chop them using a coarse grater. Having selected 200 g of still warm gruel, you need to add 2 tbsp. l. vinegar (9% is suitable). Compresses are made from the resulting mixture, which must be used for two weeks.
- Attention should also be paid to melted butter and celandine. They must be mixed in a ratio of 1: 1 and rub the area of \u200b\u200bthe chest that worries. This ointment is left on the body for 3-4 hours, after which it is washed off.
- Infusion of St. John's wort. Another good way to influence the formation in the area of the mammary gland. Dried St. John's wort (25 g) is poured with hot water (0.2 l) and then cooled to a warm state. Next, you need to dip a swab in this decoction and apply it to the problem area of \u200b\u200bthe chest.
Do not forget that the treatment of breast cysts with folk remedies - is a method that makes sense to use in the absence of access to professional medical care. In addition, effective treatment is possible onlywith proper diagnosis.
Contraindications
There are things that are strictly forbidden to do in the presence of a cyst. For example, you should not try to massage the area where the formation has manifested itself in order to squeeze fluid through the nipple. It is also worth protecting the chest from any damage and hard impact, so it is better to refuse underwear with bones for a while.
The restrictions don't end there. If a cyst was found in the mammary glands, the symptoms of which are quite obvious, then for now you will have to bypass saunas, solariums and beaches.
The essence of the prohibitions is that a significant thermal effect increases the risk of a cyst turning into a malignant tumor. This principle is also relevant for thermal physiotherapy.
Conclusion
As a conclusion, it is worth recalling that the cyst itself is not dangerous. But if you ignore and eventually start this problem, you can face extremely unpleasant and even serious complications. Therefore, if obvious symptoms of education in the breast area become noticeable, you should immediately go to the doctor.
