They said lump was a cyst but it has not gone away

Most cysts eventually go away on their own, but not always quickly. I have one cyst that I've had for years; sometimes it's bigger, sometimes it's smaller, sometimes I notice it and it can be painful, other things I'm not aware that it's there.

Do you have a copy of your ultrasound report? If not, ask your doctor for a copy. How are the cysts described? If they are 'simple cysts' then they are entirely fluid filled and completely harmless. If they are 'complicated cysts' or 'cysts with debris', then they are almost certain to be harmless but should be monitored with a follow-up ultrasound in 6 months. The report should include a BIRADs rating. A BIRADs 2 would indicate that although something was seen on the imaging (i.e. the cysts), what was seen was deemed to not be of any concern. BIRADs 2 ratings are usually given for simple cysts. A BIRADs 3 rating would indicate that although what was seen on the imaging is highly unlikely to be cancer, short term follow-up is recommended. BIRADs 3 ratings are usually given for complicated cysts.

If your report clearly indicates that you have simple cysts, with a BIRADS 2 rating, there really is no reason to see a breast surgeon. The fact that your cysts are still there after just one month is not a concern, it's normal and not unusual at all.

By the way, I've had literally dozens of cysts of my life. Even though I have a history of breast cancer, I trust the Radiologist's assessment when her report says that my cysts are nothing to be concerned about. The fact is the simple and complicated cysts are usually very easy to accurately identify with ultrasound imaging the fluid inside is clearly visible.

Nlo91011

Unlike on mammography, cysts and other masses don't actually "hide" or obscure other things seen on ultrasound however, if one presents to sonography with the complaint of a lump, the area of interest is scanned, and the remainder of the breast is not routinely scanned if the mammogram is otherwise negative.

Also it may not seem like the tech is looking at a wide enough area while scanning but, depending on the size of the breast, one can sweep through a good portion of it merely by tilting the transducer to one side then the other. The US beam is fan shaped and by tilting and pivoting you can see quite a bit without sliding the transducer around on the skin.

We rads live in fear of missing a cancer by assuming one is feeling the same thing previously imaged, without proof.