[Cytology of large cysts of the breast]

Cytological examinations of punctates of 200 large mammary gland cysts distinguished three variants thereof: cysts without signs of epithelium proliferation; cysts with signs of epithelium proliferation; and cysts with signs of epithelium proliferation and atypia. In 12 operated patients with the cyst of the second variant no cancer was detected. Among 9 operated patients with cysts of the third variant 3 were found to have intraductal cancer with initial invasion (including one case of malignized cystadenopapilloma). Detection in cytological examinations of cysts with signs of epithelium proliferation and atypia is sufficient for excision biopsy. Such patients should be considered as a higher risk group.