Breast Cyst Drainage

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KEY POINTS

• Breast cyst drainage is a procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid from a cyst in your breast.
• It may be used to drain a cyst that may be painful, or to check for cancer cells.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about what the test results mean and ask any questions you have.

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What is breast cyst drainage?

Breast cyst drainage is a procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid from a cyst in your breast. This procedure may be called a fine needle aspiration also.

Breast cysts may develop during your menstrual cycle as hormone changes cause sacs in your breast tissue to get bigger and fill with fluid. Cysts are most common in women who are 35 to 50 years old, or women who use hormone replacement therapy. You may also get a cyst after breast surgery or an injury to your breast.

A breast cyst may be felt when you are doing a breast self-exam, or it may be found during a mammogram or ultrasound of the breast.

When is it used?

This procedure may be done:

• If you have a cyst that you can feel even if it does not cause discomfort
• If you have a cyst that is causing discomfort
• So your healthcare provider can test the fluid in the cyst for cancer cells
• If the cyst makes it harder for you or your provider to feel the area behind the cyst during a breast exam

How do I prepare for this procedure?

• Follow any instructions your healthcare provider gives you.
• Ask any questions you have before the procedure. You should understand what your healthcare provider is going to do and what you should expect during recovery. You have the right to make decisions about your healthcare and to give permission for tests or procedures.

What happens during this procedure?

You may be given a local anesthetic to numb the skin and tissue near the cyst.

Your healthcare provider will place a needle into the cyst in your breast and remove the fluid. Ultrasound may be used to guide the needle to the cyst if your provider cannot feel the lump. The fluid may be sent to a lab for tests. Breast cysts are very common, but it is rare for one to contain cancer cells.

What happens after this procedure?

A small bandage may be placed on the needle site. You may feel and see a little bruising in the area.

Ask your healthcare provider:

• How and when you will get your test results
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

What are the risks of this procedure?

Every procedure or treatment has risks. Some possible risks of this procedure include:

• You may have problems with the local anesthesia.
• You may have infection or bleeding at the site.
• Sometimes the cyst will refill with fluid.
• You may need follow up tests such as a mammogram or ultrasound, if:
  • The fluid is bloody
  • The cyst is solid instead of filled with fluid
  • The lump does not go away

Ask your healthcare provider how these risks apply to you. Be sure to discuss any other questions or concerns that you may have.