study on the cyst fluid in fibrocystic disease of the breast

ABSTRACT

In the present study, the analysis of the cyst fluid of 20 patients with fibrocystic disease of the breast showed that they can be classified according to their ionic composition, in particular the level of K+, Na+ and Cl-, into two major types [I and II] and one minor less important type. Type I cyst fluid had higher levels of K+ and insignificant high levels of CEA [carcinoembryonic antigen] and alpha-fetoprotein, while type 2 contained higher levels of Na+, C1-, pH and protein. CEA and alpha-fetoprotein showed insignificant low levels in this type. When comparing the histologic findings with the biochemical composition of the cyst fluid, it can be suggested that there may be increased risk for breast cancer in women who had type I cysts. Therefore, patients with this type of fibrocystic disease of the breast should be followed up and checked periodically to detect any signs of malignancy