ABSTRACT
This paper describes the management of breast cysts by David Patey in his private practice. Seventy-six cases of cysts were recorded between 1931 and 1950, whereas 260 cases of carcinoma were seen in the same time frame. This suggests selection, since cystic disease is known in routine NHS practice to be equally as common as breast cancer. The majority of the cysts were treated by aspiration (69 of 76), and were then followed for up to 16 years. Patey noted that only one case of carcinoma developed in the whole follow-up period, and this was a tumour in the opposite breast. He also noted that 20 patients out of the 55 aspirated at least 2 years previously presented with recurrent cysts.
