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Breast Cyst

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Last updated June 11, 2022

Breast cyst quiz

Take a quiz to find out what's causing your breast cyst.

Breast cyst quiz

Take a quiz to find out what's causing your breast cyst.

Take breast cyst quiz

What is a breast cyst?

A breast cyst is a round or oval fluid-filled sac (like a tiny balloon) inside the breast. Breast cysts are common in women. They can be painless or they may cause a little pain, but they are usually benign (not cancerous). Cysts tend to get bigger and more painful just before the start of your menstrual period. Some women are more likely to have cysts than others. It’s important to get new cysts checked out by a doctor to make sure they’re not cancerous.

Top symptoms

Treatment

You should see a doctor within the next few days to evaluate the lump. Your doctor will do a physical breast exam, and may recommend an ultrasound or mammogram. Sometimes a biopsy is needed to rule out other causes. If the cyst is uncomfortable, the fluid can be removed (aspirated) with a fine needle. The fluid might come back and some cysts just go away over time. If a cyst continues to bother you, it can be surgically removed.

Ready to treat your breast cyst?

We show you only the best treatments for your condition and symptoms—all vetted by our medical team. And when you’re not sure what’s wrong, Buoy can guide you in the right direction.See all treatment options
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The stories shared below are not written by Buoy employees. Buoy does not endorse any of the information in these stories. Whenever you have questions or concerns about a medical condition, you should always contact your doctor or a healthcare provider.
Dr. Rothschild has been a faculty member at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He currently practices as a hospitalist at Newton Wellesley Hospital. In 1978, Dr. Rothschild received his MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in critical care medicine. He also received an MP...
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