Need advice, Should I have request breast cyst to be removed?

Mconcerned

About 18 months ago I started having a strange pain/feeling in my left breast periodically, reminded me of when I was about to get a clogged duct when nursing. About a month later, I found a small round lump under the areola. I went to the Dr, he thought it was normal breast tissue, but said if I was really worried to get a mammo and ultrasound (April 2015). The mammo and ultrasound didn't show anything. Mammo said that I have moderate to severely dense breast tissue. I went to see a surgeon and he thought it was regular breast tissue as well. He said if it bothered me I could have it removed. The lump didn't changed, but the pain would come and go, I went back to my OB in December 2015 and he sent me in for an MRI of the breast to see if anything would show up. The MRI said there was a 4mm cyst. The radiologist and my OB said it's not concerning. After the MRI, I went to a Breast Surgeon and she said the same, nothing of concern. The pain almost completely went away for a few months, but then would come back periodically (only in the left breast). About 2 weeks ago, I had a new pain on the nipple when I got into the shower and water touched it, it seemed irritated to the touch. Not sure if I sleep wrong or if it was from my breast 'issues'. The pain only lasted 1 day, then it was back to the normal annoying breast pain. Yesterday, my left nipple started to feel sore and it felt the same as when I was nursing and I needed to express milk. So I squeezed on the nipple and white and green discharge came out. I tried on the right side (haven't had issues/pain or lumps on this side), and green discharge came out. I was able to get into my ob right away, and he confirmed the discharge and ordered a blood test to see if I have elevated prolactin levels. Other than that he doesn't seem very concerned and told me to try to avoid squeezing it as it could cause more to be produced.

The breast pain, lump and now this is really causing me anxiety. I want to trust the doctor's I've seen, however I'm having a hard time, when I'm having this pain and different symptoms. I'm certain if I go back to the first surgeon he will remove the lump, but I'm not even sure if that is what is causing the pain, and I also don't want to introduce new issues or un-needed scarring. I think that if I new 100% this wasn't cancerous, I could put it aside. Any advice as to move forward?

inks

They can aspirate the cysts but I don't think they would surgically remove it. With the aspiration it will come back again but maybe you could see if it helps with the pain.

pari143

hi mconcerned

i am having the same problem i have a cyst in my breast since 2010 i found it by chance. as i have a family history of breast cancer (my and my aunt) i went to oncologist after physical check up she said nothing to worry it is a cyst. But i am having pain issues now i have decided to remove it . i want to know if it is normal and nothing is wrong with it.i know what u r going through.lots of hugs

Mconcerned

Thanks for the reply! Is your pain consistent? Mine comes and goes and is sometimes into the armpit. It isn't bad, but just irrritating and makes me wonder what's causing it. Did your surgeon say if there are concerns with removing it, like scarring that can make future imaging difficult to read?

I've seen 4 different Drs and none seemed concerned. My MRI report said Birads 2, the mammo/us said Birads 1.

elimar86861

Mconcerned, It very well may be elevated prolactin levels causing you to produce a bit of milk that is causing pain and pressure inside, so your latest test may solve the mystery. That is too bad that you had go all the way to MRI to discover the cyst. Usually ultrasounds are quite good at discovering those. A 4mm cyst IS pretty small but the nipple has so many nerve endings that even a small cyst in the area could be annoyingly painful. I would think it would be hard to effectively aspirate one so small (without it filling back up in a short time) so you might have to decide how much pain you are willing to put up with. You might not want to rush to surgery, if you just need to take a Tylenol for a day or two each month. Cysts do fluctuate with hormonal cycles.

Don't get me wrong, tho', about addressing the pain. I do not think the doctors should ignore the discomfort you are reporting to them, just because what you have is probably not cancer. I mean, a kidney stone can be 4mm. How fun is it to pass one of those? Be sure to mention that to the docs...especially if any are men.

Mconcerned

I haven't talked to my Dr yet, but I did log in to see my results of my ProLactin level and it said 7.70, so it doesn't seem that it is out of the normal range. I'm wondering what I should ask my Dr's office when they call? Are there other tests (maybe estrogen levels?) that can be run?

Thank you

pari143

Hi mconcerned

sorry for late replay. my cyst does pain but off and on not constant. the surgeon said that it can come back but i want to check it out for any malignancy . i am much worried .they can also do an FNA to confirm malignancy according to the surgeon

Mconcerned

pari143, did you have your cyst removed?

Elimar, Are there any risks of scar tissue from aspirating a cyst? Mine sounds small (4mm), it feels about the size of a pea and I'm just guessing this is where the pain is coming from.

Has anyone tried breast massages to get rid of cyst or reduce breast pain?

Thanks