Don’t routinely drain non-painful fluid-filled breast cysts.

Rationale and Comments

Breast cysts are common. They are harmless fluid filled sacs. If an ultrasound (sonogram) confirms that a breast mass is a simple cyst, it does not need to be drained unless it is bothersome to the patient or if there are concerns it could be something other than a cyst or has complex characteristics.

Sponsoring Organizations

• American Society of Breast Surgeons – Benign Breast Disease

Sources

• Expert consensus

Disciplines

• Dermatologic
• Gynecologic

References

• Amin AL, Purdy AC, Mattingly JD, Kong AL, Termuhlen PM. Benign breast disease. Surg Clin North Am. 2013;93:299-308.
  
• Berg WA, Sechtin AG, Marques H, Zhang Z. Cystic breast masses and the ACRIN 6666 experience. Radiol Clin North Am. 2010;48:931-987.
  
• Sanders LM, Lacz NL, Lara J. 16 year experience with aspiration of noncomplex breast cysts: cytology results with focus on positive cases. Breast J. 2012;18:443-452.