Galactoceles, or milk-filled cysts, can occur when milk ducts become blocked and are most commonly associated with post-pregnancy and breastfeeding. They are usually non-cancerous and can be treated with needle aspiration, though surgery may be necessary if the cyst becomes infected. Breastfeeding is safe and beneficial with a galactocele present.
A galactocele is a rather rare type of breast cyst. It is usually called a “milk-filled cyst” and can occur if the milk ducts become blocked. The sizes of galactoceles can vary and can end up several inches in diameter, although they can also be much smaller. Treatment for these cysts varies and isn’t always necessary for recovery.
In the breast, the galactocele may appear to be slightly curved in shape. It usually doesn’t hurt to feel it, and because the cyst is filled with fluid, the walls of the cyst give way if pressure is applied to them. These cysts are most commonly associated with post-pregnancy and most often with breastfeeding.
They often occur towards the end or end of breastfeeding. A woman who chooses not to breastfeed but produces milk is more likely to get a galactocele a few weeks after giving birth to a baby. Those women who breastfeed babies may be more prone to taking them when feedings are reduced in number, which can give the milk time to collect. Of course, sometimes these cysts aren’t noticed until several months after they occur.
On rare occasions, a galactocele may be present in the male breast, even in very young infants. A 1990s report in the journal Fetal and Pediatric Pathology presents a study of an eleven-month-old baby with enlarged breasts due to the presence of one of these cysts. Although the condition is most often associated with breastfeeding, the journal cites galactoceles as a common cause of breast enlargement in males.
The lucky news of a galactocele is that most are imminently treatable and non-cancerous. To determine the precise nature of the lump, a needle biopsy may be done, which usually reveals a milky white fluid. Usually, the cyst does not need to be surgically removed or treated in any way, unless it is growing and causing problems. In these cases, doctors generally use needle aspiration, where they insert a needle directly into the cyst through the sinus and drain the fluid from the cyst. This is typically an outpatient procedure.
It is possible for a cyst to become infected, and this may be the only time doctors would prefer to use surgical removal. The odds of requiring surgery for a galactocele are not high. However, patients should discuss this with their doctors if surgery is likely or if they are concerned about requesting it. It is important to note that these cysts can resolve without any treatment.
Another potential concern is whether it’s okay to breastfeed when one of these cysts is present. Doctors conclude that it is not only safe, but also beneficial, as eliminating milk from the breast may help resolve the cyst sooner. It poses no risk to the nursing baby and can prevent the cyst from recurring.
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