One hundred and sixty nine women with 220 breast cysts were treated by needle aspiration between 1950 and 1980. Mean follow up was seven years. One hundred and twenty two (72%) patients were aged from 40 to 49 years. The majority (61%) of cysts occurred in the left breast. In 147 patients 174 (79%) of 220 cysts were aspirated once and did not recur at that site. One hundred and eleven (66%) patients presented with a single cyst and had no recurrence in either breast after aspiration. Two patients developed carcinoma of the opposite breast at 8 and 12 years after cyst aspiration. Needle aspiration of the breast is regarded as a safe, simple and economic diagnostic and therapeutic modality in women presenting with single breast lumps.