What Are the Symptoms of a Cyst?
Epidermoid Cysts
Visible lump: Epidermoid cysts often appear as a small, round, and firm lump on the skin, usually about 1-2 cm in size.
Skin dimpling: The skin over the cyst may appear dimpled or pitted.
Discharge: In rare cases, an epidermoid cyst may become infected and release a thick, yellowish fluid.
Pain: If the cyst grows and puts pressure on surrounding tissues, it may cause pain.
Sebaceous Cysts
Visible lump: Sebaceous cysts often appear as a small, round, and soft lump on the skin, usually about 1-2 cm in size.
Yellowish discharge: The cyst may release a thick, stinky, yellowish fluid if it becomes infected or ruptured.
Itching: Some people may experience itching or irritation in the area around the cyst.
Pain: In rare cases, a sebaceous cyst may become painful if it grows and puts pressure on surrounding tissues.
Dermoid Cysts
Visible lump: Dermoid cysts often appear as a small, round, and firm lump on the skin, usually about 1-2 cm in size.
Discharge: In rare cases, a dermoid cyst may release a thick, yellowish fluid if it becomes infected or ruptured.
Pain: If the cyst grows and puts pressure on surrounding tissues, it may cause pain.
Numbness or tingling: In rare cases, a dermoid cyst that is located near a nerve may cause numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Ganglion Cysts
Visible lump: Ganglion cysts often appear as a small, round, and firm lump on the skin, usually about 1-2 cm in size.
Pain: If the cyst grows and puts pressure on surrounding tissues, it may cause pain, especially when using the affected joint.
Weakness or numbness: In rare cases, a ganglion cyst that is located near a nerve may cause numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Swelling: The cyst may cause swelling in the affected area.
Ovarian Cysts
Pelvic pain: Ovarian cysts can cause pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvis, especially during menstrual periods or sexual activity.
Abnormal menstrual periods: Ovarian cysts can cause irregular or heavy menstrual periods.
Bloating or swelling: Ovarian cysts can cause bloating or swelling in the abdomen.
Pressure: Ovarian cysts can put pressure on the bladder or rectum, causing frequent urination or constipation.
Nausea or vomiting: Ovarian cysts can cause nausea or vomiting, especially if the cyst is large and causes abdominal discomfort.
Lipoma
Visible lump: Lipomas often appear as a soft, round, and movable lump under the skin, usually about 1-2 cm in size.
Painless lesions: Lipomas are usually painless.
Slow-growing: Lipomas tend to grow slowly and may not cause any symptoms unless they are very large.
Pilomatrixoma
Visible lump: Pilomatrixomas often appear as a firm, round, and painless lump under the skin, usually about 1-2 cm in size.
Hard in texture: Pilomatrixomas are usually harder than lipomas.
Slow-growing: Pilomatrixomas tend to grow slowly and may not cause any symptoms unless they are very large.
Pyogenic Granuloma
Visible lump: Pyogenic granulomas often appear as a small, red, and raised bump on the skin, usually about 1-2 cm in size.
Bleeding: Pyogenic granulomas may bleed easily, especially when traumatized.
Rapid growth: Pyogenic granulomas tend to grow quickly, usually within weeks or months.
Bronchogenic Cysts
Coughing: Bronchogenic cysts can cause persistent coughing or wheezing.
Chest pain: Bronchogenic cysts can cause chest pain or discomfort, especially when breathing deeply or coughing.
Shortness of breath: Bronchogenic cysts can cause shortness of breath, especially during physical activity.
Recurrent pneumonia: Bronchogenic cysts can cause recurrent pneumonia, especially in children.
Thyroglossal Cysts
Visible lump: Thyroglossal cysts often appear as a soft, movable lump in the neck, usually near the midline.
Painless lesions: Thyroglossal cysts are usually painless.
Swelling: Thyroglossal cysts can cause swelling in the neck, especially when the cyst is infected.
Difficulty swallowing: Thyroglossal cysts can cause difficulty swallowing, especially if the cyst is large and compresses the nearby structures.
What Can Happen if a Cyst is Left Untreated?
The effects of leaving a cyst untreated can vary depending on the type and location of the cyst. Generally, the following can occur:
- Growth: Many cysts will continue to grow in size if left untreated. This may cause discomfort, pressure or pain.
- Infection: Some cysts can become infected, which can lead to pain, redness, and swelling. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body and cause more serious complications.
- Torsion: Ovarian cysts, for example, can twist on their own blood supply, leading to pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- Cancer: Rarely, cysts can turn into malignant tumors, such as squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma.
- Disfigurement: Large or unsightly cysts can cause physical disfigurement, especially if they are located on the face or other visible areas.
Therefore, it is important to have any new or changing cysts evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist, who can determine the best course of treatment.
What is the Best Way To Remove a Cyst?
The best way to remove a cyst depends on various factors, including the size, location, and type of the cyst, as well as the patient’s medical history and overall health. The following are some common methods of cyst removal:
- Drainage: A small needle can be used to drain the fluid from the cyst, which may relieve symptoms.
- Surgical excision: This involves removing the entire cyst along with some of the surrounding tissue. This is typically done for larger or more complicated cysts.
- Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the cyst with liquid nitrogen, which will cause it to shrink and eventually fall off.
- Laser therapy: This involves using a laser to remove the cyst and cauterize (seal) the surrounding blood vessels.
- Electrosurgery: This involves using an electrical current to remove the cyst and cauterize the surrounding tissue.
It’s important to note that the best way to remove a cyst will be determined by a healthcare provider after evaluating the specific case. In some cases, a cyst may not need to be removed if it is small and not causing any symptoms.
Cyst Removal Procedures
There are currently many surgical procedures available, such as:
Minimal excision – Minimal surgical excisions are less invasive cyst removal techniques when compared to complete excisions. This technique involves compressing the cyst so that it can pass through an incision that is only 2 to 3 mm wide. Since the incision is too small, this technique does not require sutures to close the wound. However, this is not suitable for all types of cysts, especially inflamed ones, because they cannot be easily compressed. In such cases, doctors advise a period of waiting to allow the inflammation to subside before the removal is performed.
Laparoscopic or Keyhole Surgery – A minor surgery procedure where small incisions are made, and a laparoscope with a camera is inserted to visualize the inside of the body. Surgical instruments are used through the laparoscope to remove the cyst. This method is preferred for its smaller incisions, less pain, and shorter recovery time.
Open Surgery – Also known as complete surgical excision, it involves making a larger incision to remove the cyst. The patient is under general anesthesia during the procedure.
Laser-assisted Cyst Removal – A newer technique that uses laser technology to drain the contents of the cyst and then remove the wall through minimal excision. This method is suitable for non-infected cysts and can remove even large ones, but care must be taken as bursting an infected cyst can lead to blood poisoning.
What is the Recovery Time For Cyst Removal?
In general, patients can expect to return to normal activities within a few days to a week after a small cyst removal procedure performed under local anesthetic. For larger or more complex cyst removal procedures performed under general anesthesia, the recovery time may be several weeks.
During the recovery period, the patient may experience some discomfort and swelling at the incision site. The healthcare provider will provide detailed instructions on how to care for the incision site and manage any pain or discomfort.
It’s important to follow the dermatologist’s medical advice and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure a smooth and successful recovery. If the patient experiences any unusual symptoms, such as fever, persistent pain, or redness and swelling at the incision site, they should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
