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75 patients with breast gross cystic disease and no cancer have been included in the study. For each patients serous and intracystic concentrations of MCA have been measured. The aim of the study is to assess whether if a relation between intracystic concentration of the marker and resistance and capability of cellular reproduction exists (confirmed by the release of the cyst). The analysis of intracystic values shows that synthesis of MCA is an intrinsic peculiarity of cytologic kind. It is apparently independent from inflammatory or hemorrhagic contemporary processes.

IAP marker was detected by radio-immunodiffusion in breast gross cyst fluid and in serum. No correlation was found between this antigen and cyst' cytological type, serum concentrations and acute phlogosis. In most cysts IAP was not valuable; on the other hand, high levels of glycoprotein were found only in the subgroup on relapsed class of apocrine cysts.

Ca 125 was assayed in serum and in breast cyst fluid of 78 patients with GCD. Levels of the marker in cyst fluid are generally < 30 U/ml. More significative results were found in relation to cysts relapse. In apocrine cysts relapse levels were higher than 270 U/ml, in serum cysts not relapsed levels were between 31-270 U/ml. Ca 125 could have a significative role in cell differentiation and its control.

Cathepsin-D was assayed in serum and in breast cyst fluid of 60 non neoplastic patients with GCD. The results are independent from cytological type or possible cyst relapse. Although the study confirms the high levels of Cat-D in breast cyst fluid no predictive value has been demonstrated. Its expression may be related to systemic endocrine factors.

Ca 15-3 was assayed in serum and in breast cysts fluid of 78 non neoplastic patients presenting Gross Cysts (GCD). In apocrine cysts and in the mixed type (serous and apocrine, class III) relapse was indicated by high serum and intracystic levels of the marker. Ca 15-3, therefore, may discriminate in a group of cysts a higher cellular resistance as well as an increased cell proliferation. Results suggest an important role of the marker in the follow up of patients with GCD and for the early detection of cyst relapse.

The authors evaluated the advantages obtained utilizing FNAB with ultrasound in the needle aspiration of breast cysts. Echography can guide the aspiration up to its end in an effective and localized way. Cytologic examination of the cystic fluid confirmed the benign nature of the cyst. The association of needle aspiration and guided echography was related to a low number of relapses (19.8%). Among these relapses some risk factors have been found as well as a correlation between cystic fluid cytologic examination and relapses incidence has been determined.