Breast Cyst vs. Breast Tumor: What is the Difference?
Breast health expert Dr. Katerina Tsiapali discusses the difference between a breast cyst and a breast tumor, how they are similar, treatment options and much more.
Featured Speaker:
Katerina Tsiapali, MD, FACS
Dr. Katerina Tsiapali attended medical school at the National University of Athens Medical School in Greece. She trained at East Tennessee State University for her General Surgery residency where she developed a particular interest in breast health. She completed a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at Brown University. Dr. Tsiapali offers her patients ‘a whole person’ approach to care, including prevention and proactive screening for early detection of cancer; personalized breast cancer treatment plans for men and women; support programs after breast cancer treatment and treatment of benign breast conditions. Transcription:
Breast Cyst vs. Breast Tumor: What is the Difference?
Caitlin Whyte (Host): Welcome to Live Greater, a health and wellness podcast brought to you by the University of Maryland Medical System. We put knowledge and care within reach, so you have everything you need to live your life to the fullest. This podcast is sponsored by the UM Capital Regional Health. Today we are joined by Breast Health Expert, Dr. Katerina Tsiapali, to discuss the difference between a breast cyst and a breast tumor, how they are similar, treatment options, and much more. Now let's start with some basics. What is the difference between a breast cyst and a breast tumor Doctor? And how is it detected?
Katerina Tsiapali, MD (Guest): So, a breast cyst is a fluid-filled nodule in the breast. Whereas a tumor, what we call a tumor is usually more solid, there's tissue in it instead of fluid. Both of them present as lumps in the breast. And it's hard for a patient to know whether that is a fluid-filled cyst versus a solid tumor. Usually we're able to sort that out with imaging, a mammogram and ultrasound.
Host: So then what causes those fluid-filled breast cysts to form?
Dr. Tsiapali: Well, the short answer is hormones. The breast has some cystic spaces. Usually the ducts where the milk flows or there's fluid if we're not breastfeeding and with hormonal stimulation to the breasts, some of these spaces can balloon up if you would, and fill with more fluid. That's why we see a lot of them when women are still menstruating or they're peri-menopausal.
Host: Gotcha. Okay. So, if I do end up having a breast cyst does that make me any more susceptible to developing a breast tumor or then breast cancer?
Dr. Tsiapali: No, not really. Breast cysts again are very common in women who are still, you know, having their periods and going through menopause. They, they do not increase the risk of breast cancer and cancer growing within a cyst is, is extremely rare.
Host: Well, that is great to hear. Let's turn over to then treatment approaches. How are they similar and how are they different for both a breast cyst and a breast tumor?
Dr. Tsiapali: So, a breast cyst it depends on whether they're symptomatic or not. So, whether they cause any problems to the person who has them. Sometimes, you know, they're, the person can feel them or they're seen on mammogram or an ultrasound. And then we go by what they look like. If they have all good features, nothing looks concerning, then we leave them alone and only do something about them if they become really big and painful and bothersome, in which case we can put a needle in them, draw that fluid out and deflate them and then that relieves the pressure and the pain. But if they're small and they're not bothering anybody, we just leave them alone.
For breast tumors, which are more solid masses, that again, we go by what they look like on imaging. Some of them have completely benign features. Such as a fibroadenoma, those are very common in younger women and they are completely benign. They don't turn into cancer. They are not dangerous. So, as long as they're small and they don't cause pain or any other symptoms, we leave them alone.
A lot of the times though, for solid tumors, we have to do a biopsy, which is usually done with a needle through the skin to confirm that it is indeed a good behaving lump and not something dangerous.
Host: So good to hear the differences between the cysts and tumors. Are there any other takeaways that you'd like to share with our audience?
Dr. Tsiapali: I would say that, please be careful and pay attention to lumps that develop in the breasts that have not been there. So, if it's something new or something that grows in size, please bring it to the attention of your doctor. Lumps can be very common with, especially in younger women around their periods, but if something doesn't go away after you get your period or after a cycle or two, please make sure that a doctor evaluates this.
Host: Well, it's just so good to cover these types of things, so people know what they are dealing with when they have a question about their bodies. Thank you for being with us today. This episode is sponsored by UM Capital Region Health, the largest healthcare provider in Prince Georges County, dedicated to enhancing the health and wellness of the community by providing high quality accessible patient care.
UM Capital Region Health, changing up healthcare in Prince Georges County. Find more shows just like this one at umms.org/podcast. Thank you for listening to Live Greater, a health and wellness podcast brought to you by the University of Maryland Medical System. We look forward to you joining us again.
Breast Cyst vs. Breast Tumor: What is the Difference?
Caitlin Whyte (Host): Welcome to Live Greater, a health and wellness podcast brought to you by the University of Maryland Medical System. We put knowledge and care within reach, so you have everything you need to live your life to the fullest. This podcast is sponsored by the UM Capital Regional Health. Today we are joined by Breast Health Expert, Dr. Katerina Tsiapali, to discuss the difference between a breast cyst and a breast tumor, how they are similar, treatment options, and much more. Now let's start with some basics. What is the difference between a breast cyst and a breast tumor Doctor? And how is it detected?
Katerina Tsiapali, MD (Guest): So, a breast cyst is a fluid-filled nodule in the breast. Whereas a tumor, what we call a tumor is usually more solid, there's tissue in it instead of fluid. Both of them present as lumps in the breast. And it's hard for a patient to know whether that is a fluid-filled cyst versus a solid tumor. Usually we're able to sort that out with imaging, a mammogram and ultrasound.
Host: So then what causes those fluid-filled breast cysts to form?
Dr. Tsiapali: Well, the short answer is hormones. The breast has some cystic spaces. Usually the ducts where the milk flows or there's fluid if we're not breastfeeding and with hormonal stimulation to the breasts, some of these spaces can balloon up if you would, and fill with more fluid. That's why we see a lot of them when women are still menstruating or they're peri-menopausal.
Host: Gotcha. Okay. So, if I do end up having a breast cyst does that make me any more susceptible to developing a breast tumor or then breast cancer?
Dr. Tsiapali: No, not really. Breast cysts again are very common in women who are still, you know, having their periods and going through menopause. They, they do not increase the risk of breast cancer and cancer growing within a cyst is, is extremely rare.
Host: Well, that is great to hear. Let's turn over to then treatment approaches. How are they similar and how are they different for both a breast cyst and a breast tumor?
Dr. Tsiapali: So, a breast cyst it depends on whether they're symptomatic or not. So, whether they cause any problems to the person who has them. Sometimes, you know, they're, the person can feel them or they're seen on mammogram or an ultrasound. And then we go by what they look like. If they have all good features, nothing looks concerning, then we leave them alone and only do something about them if they become really big and painful and bothersome, in which case we can put a needle in them, draw that fluid out and deflate them and then that relieves the pressure and the pain. But if they're small and they're not bothering anybody, we just leave them alone.
For breast tumors, which are more solid masses, that again, we go by what they look like on imaging. Some of them have completely benign features. Such as a fibroadenoma, those are very common in younger women and they are completely benign. They don't turn into cancer. They are not dangerous. So, as long as they're small and they don't cause pain or any other symptoms, we leave them alone.
A lot of the times though, for solid tumors, we have to do a biopsy, which is usually done with a needle through the skin to confirm that it is indeed a good behaving lump and not something dangerous.
Host: So good to hear the differences between the cysts and tumors. Are there any other takeaways that you'd like to share with our audience?
Dr. Tsiapali: I would say that, please be careful and pay attention to lumps that develop in the breasts that have not been there. So, if it's something new or something that grows in size, please bring it to the attention of your doctor. Lumps can be very common with, especially in younger women around their periods, but if something doesn't go away after you get your period or after a cycle or two, please make sure that a doctor evaluates this.
Host: Well, it's just so good to cover these types of things, so people know what they are dealing with when they have a question about their bodies. Thank you for being with us today. This episode is sponsored by UM Capital Region Health, the largest healthcare provider in Prince Georges County, dedicated to enhancing the health and wellness of the community by providing high quality accessible patient care.
UM Capital Region Health, changing up healthcare in Prince Georges County. Find more shows just like this one at umms.org/podcast. Thank you for listening to Live Greater, a health and wellness podcast brought to you by the University of Maryland Medical System. We look forward to you joining us again.