How do they know it is "just a cyst"?

[beth0277]

Anyone here have fibrocystic breasts? I do, and have been checked many times. They are lumpy, bumpy, grainy, and typically just feel like bags full of bb's. So today I went to my PCP and was diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (Yay!) after being plagued by cramps for a week and when I was there I casually mentioned how my breasts have been really sore. She does women's care, but her specialty is general medicine. So she did a quick breast exam and said they felt fine. She did feel a cyst on one side, but wasn't concerned. So, my question is (and I know I am always a skeptic) how does a doctor know something is a cyst just by feeling it? I had a clear breast MRI last April, so I have been checked in the last year but of course I have that little nagging thing in my mind wondering how doctors really know the difference between a cyst or something more serious.

[JunoX]

I have the same problem with my breasts and every year my mammogram turns into a fiasco. Anyways, I don't know the technicalities behind how the doctors know but they do. That's why they have a medical degree. It has something to do with the shape and density of the mass. They can just tell if its suspicious or not with that information, plus your previous mammogram comparisons.

[v12alp]

Cysts have typical presentation on MRI; hence, you were cleared. The doctor can usually palpate an abnormal growth which most likely has to do with size, location, whether movable or not, and other characteristic. Plus I'm sure they have a record of your check ups which also helps them decide that nothing bad could develop in the meantime.

[lawkcrabb]

When I was 26 I found a lump in my breast... I was terrified!  My gyn felt it and said it felt like a cyst...soft, round, movable.  He said that cancer lumps are hard, like popcorn kernels, and feel like they are stuck to your ribs.   He did a sonogram to confirm and diagnosed me with fibrocystic breasts, right one more than left.  They feel pay and bumpy to me, so I just feel monthly for changes...my doc can usually tell by feeling. 

[lawkcrabb]

They feel lumpy and bumpy, darn autocorrect!

[worry wart]

I also have firbrocystic breasts and my left is worse than the right. Also, too many breast self exams can cause breasts to be more painful. I have been guilty of that myself. Try taking evening primrose oil and vitamin E, each one once a day. I think my ob/gyn said 400 of the primrose oil. I also have stopped drinking my cup of coffee in the mornings. I drink it 3 days a week instead of 5-7. It has actually helped.

[scaredmomma]

Fibroid tumors in the breast are usually long and circular.  They hurt and can be moved easily.  A cyst is round.  I have both and my doctor made me get my cyst checked via ultrasound.  It was a simple cyst (just fluid filled).  I still have it after almost 10 years and it has never increased in size.  If you are concerned, you can request an ultrasound or mammogram.  At the time, I was young and my breast tissue was thick so I had to do an ultrasound.  Both are annoying.  BTW – your cyst and fibroids will increase in size during your period.  If you feel the cyst is getting bigger and bigger – have it checked but again…I am sure it is nothing.

[Slangevar]

I'm a total cyst factory... mine sometimes get as big as grapes!  (To which all of my docs reply, "I've felt 'em as big as golf balls.")  Both my gynecologist and breast specialist said that some, but not all cysts, are easy to recognize when they feel them... they have a characteristic feeling.

I have had cysts in the past that were questionable (i.e. nestled in fibrocystic breast tissue, so they felt abnormal)... what that happens, your doc does not say, "it's a cyst"... they immediately schedule you an appointment for a mammo/ultrasound. If your doc said it's a cyst, that means they're 100% sure they're feeling a cyst.

Btw, I take 1000 mg of evening primrose oil at my breast doc's recommendation and it's really helped. When I forget to take it for a while, my cysts blow up and I get all sorts of sensitivity and pain.