What Is a Cyst?

What Is a Cyst?

A cyst is an abnormal fluid-filled pocket or sac that can form anywhere in the body. Although cysts can happen anywhere in the body, they commonly develop in the skin, ovaries, breasts, or kidneys. The size of a cyst varies from a tiny sac to a heavy bag containing liters of fluid.

Some cysts grow slowly and stay unnoticed for years, while others become painful or swollen very quickly. A cyst may contain fluid, pus, air, or semi-solid material. Some are soft when touched, while others feel firm. In many cases, cysts are harmless, but some may require medical care if they become infected, grow large, or become painful.

Basically, there are two kinds of cysts: true cysts and pseudocysts. A true cyst has its own lining or wall around the fluid-filled sac. A pseudocyst does not have this lining, unlike cystic acne and ingrown hairs.

What Causes Cysts?

Cysts are formed for various reasons. The exact cause of the cyst depends on its type. Some of the common causes of cysts include:

• Blocked ducts cause fluid to collect.

• Blocked sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands in the skin).

• Cellular defects (problems in cells).

• An impact injury that may pop a blood vessel.

• Infections.

• Inherited diseases.

• Genetics.

• Chronic inflammation (long-term swelling and irritation in the body).

• Parasites (organisms living off a host).

• Hormonal changes.

• Unreleased ovarian follicles (small sacs in the ovary that normally release eggs).

• Ingrown hairs.

• Poor drainage of natural body fluids.

• Certain inherited conditions, such as Gardner syndrome, may increase the risk of epidermoid cysts.

What Are the Different Types of Cysts?

There are many kinds of cysts. Some affect the skin, while others form inside the body.

Skin Cysts

• Sebaceous Cyst: It is a slow-growing, protein-filled, dome-like, yellow or white-colored mass or lump beneath the skin. These cysts are usually painless and can occur anywhere on the body except the palms and soles. Sebaceous cysts develop from blocked or damaged sebaceous glands due to trauma in the area, such as a scratch or a surgical wound.

• Epidermoid Cyst: One of the most common skin cysts. They usually appear on the face, neck, chest, or upper back. These cysts grow slowly and are filled with keratin (which is a protein found in skin, hair, and nails).

• Pilar Cyst: Pilar cysts usually form on the scalp. These smooth, round cysts develop from hair follicles (tiny openings where hair grows). They are common in middle-aged adults and may run in families.

• Ganglion Cyst: Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled lumps that commonly develop near wrist, hand, ankle, or foot joints. They may become painful while moving the joint and can change in size over time.

• Pilonidal Disease: A pilonidal cyst is an abnormal pocket that occurs more commonly in men than women. These cysts are found close to the tailbone at the top of the cleft of the buttocks. They usually contain skin debris, body oils, hair, and other matter.

• Chalazion: A chalazion is a small lump on the eyelid caused by a blockage in the oil gland. It may cause the eyelid to swell and become tender.

• Acne Cysts: Cystic acne causes large, painful, pus-filled lumps deep under the skin.

• Mucous Cyst: Mucous cysts usually form near the mouth or fingers. They are small sacs filled with clear fluid that may develop after injury or a gland blockage.

Cysts Inside the Body

• Arachnoid Cyst: These cysts are fluid-filled pockets on the brain and spine. They are not tumors and are non-cancerous. These cysts occur when the arachnoid membrane doubles or splits, forming an abnormal pocket of cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord). Most arachnoid cysts do not cause symptoms. However, when symptoms do develop, they may cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or seizures.

• Pineal Cyst: A pineal cyst forms in the pineal gland of the brain. Most are harmless and discovered accidentally during brain scans. Large pineal cysts may cause headaches or vision problems.

• Tarlov Cyst: Tarlov cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop around nerves near the spine. Some people have no symptoms, while others may experience back pain, weakness, or numbness.

• Bartholin's Cyst: This relatively painless swelling occurs when the Bartholin's glands become blocked, leading to a buildup of fluid within the glands. Non-infected Bartholin's cysts may cause a recurring, tender lump or mass on either side of the vaginal opening.

• Breast Cyst: Breast cysts are non-cancerous fluid-filled sacs that develop in women in their 30s and 40s due to the collection of fluid in their breast glands. They also frequently occur in postmenopausal women who are on hormone therapy. These cysts can cause a smooth, easily movable round lump, pain or tenderness in the affected area, increased breast lump size and tenderness before periods, and clear, yellow, or straw-colored nipple discharge.

• Ovarian Cysts: Ovarian cysts are non-cancerous fluid-filled pockets formed in an ovary or on its surface. These cysts are linked to the menstrual cycle, as they form during it. Most cysts are asymptomatic and often go away on their own. However, large ovarian cysts may cause symptoms such as pelvic pain, bloating, and fullness in the abdomen. A serious complication called ovarian torsion can happen when a large ovarian cyst twists the ovary and cuts off its blood supply. This is an emergency situation, and it may require surgery immediately to save the ovary. Sudden severe pelvic pain, vomiting, fever, or fainting should never be ignored.

• Kidney Cyst: These kidney cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form in or on the kidneys. Simple kidney cysts are often harmless, but some may affect kidney function if they become large.

• Pancreatic Cyst: Pancreatic cysts form in the pancreas, an organ that helps digestion and blood sugar control. Some pancreatic cysts are harmless, while others may need close monitoring.

• Baker's Cyst: A Baker's cyst develops behind the knee and is filled with joint fluid. It may cause swelling, stiffness, and pain while bending the knee.

• Dentigerous Cyst: Dentigerous cysts form around an unerupted tooth, usually a wisdom tooth.

• Periapical Cyst: A periapical cyst develops near the root of a tooth due to infection.

• Hydatid Cyst: Hydatid cysts are caused by parasites. They commonly affect the liver or lungs and may grow slowly for years before causing symptoms.

• Branchial Cleft Cyst: This is a congenital condition (present from birth) in which a cyst forms in the neck because tissues did not develop properly before birth.

• Vocal Fold Cyst: They develop on the vocal cords and may cause hoarseness or changes in voice.

• Cystic Hygromas: Also called lymphangioma, a birth defect in which a sac-like structure is formed, commonly in an infant's head and neck area. After birth, a cystic hygroma may appear as a soft bulge under the skin.

Cyst vs Boil

• You may get confused between cysts and boils because both often appear as lumps under the skin.

• You can identify a cyst as a slow-growing sac that is filled with fluid, air, or other material. Most cysts are not infectious.

• A boil is a painful skin infection caused by bacteria. It is usually red, warm, swollen, and filled with pus.

• Boils are more likely to feel hot and tender, while cysts are often painless unless infected.

Cyst vs Tumor

• A cyst and a tumor are not the same thing.

• A cyst is commonly filled with fluid or semi-solid material. Most cysts are benign (non-cancerous).

• A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells. Tumors may be benign or cancerous.

• Doctors may use imaging scans or biopsies to distinguish between the two.

How Are Cysts Diagnosed?

During a visit, a doctor performs a thorough physical examination. The doctor may look for redness and tenderness in the affected area and examine the size and shape of a suspected cyst.

Cysts in the skin or easily palpable organs, such as the thyroid gland, are easily felt during examination. Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, X-ray, CT (computed tomography), and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), are powerful tools for diagnosing cysts.

In addition, needle biopsies and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) may be used to determine whether malignant tissue is associated with a cyst and to reduce its size. Fine-needle aspiration is done with a very thin needle to remove fluid or cells for testing.

How Are Cysts Treated?

Treatment of the cysts

depends on their type, location, and severity of the cysts. Doctors may also simply monitor harmless cysts that are not causing symptoms. Some common treatment methods include:

• Antibiotics for infected cysts.

• Steroid injections to reduce swelling and inflammation.

• Incision and drainage, in which the doctor makes a small incision to drain the fluid.

• Laser removal for certain skin cysts.

• Surgical removal of the entire cyst.

• Warm compresses or heat packs to reduce pain and swelling.

• Ice packs to help with discomfort.

When to See a Doctor?

Reach out to a doctor right away whenever the following conditions occur:

• The cyst becomes very painful or inflamed. It can be a sign of a rupture or an infection.

• Sharp, sudden pain in the lower abdomen or upper pelvis in women. It may indicate a ruptured ovarian cyst or ovarian torsion.

• Rapid swelling, fever, or pus drainage.

• Difficulty walking, speaking, or moving.

• Any change in color, size, or shape of the cyst.

How Are Cysts Prevented?

Most cysts cannot be prevented. However, there are a few cysts that are preventable.

• Women who have a tendency to develop ovarian cysts may prevent new cysts from developing through hormonal contraceptives and regular pelvic exams to diagnose changes in the ovaries as early as possible.

• Pilonidal cysts can be prevented from forming by keeping the skin clean and dry, losing weight if needed, avoiding prolonged sitting, and removing excess hair around the area.

• Chalazia may be prevented through proper eyelid hygiene and regular lid cleaning.

• Good skin care and avoiding squeezing pimples may lower the risk of acne cysts.

Conclusion

There are many different kinds of cysts, ranging from harmless skin cysts to cysts that affect internal organs. Some may need only monitoring, while others require medicines or surgery.

You should consult a healthcare professional if you notice any bumps or other symptoms on your skin or elsewhere on your body. The cyst on your skin may appear harmless, but you should get it checked, as if ignored, it may cause complications. Moreover, prompt diagnosis and proper treatment of any cyst can help prevent complications and help speed recovery.

Key Takeaways:

• Cysts are abnormal fluid-filled pockets or sacs that can form anywhere in the body or under the skin.

• Most cysts are benign (non-cancerous) and resolve on their own. However, some untreated cysts, like arachnoid cysts, can lead to serious complications.

• Different types of cysts cause different symptoms depending on their size and location.

• The management of cysts also depends on their type and location.

• People should never try to pop, squeeze, drain, or remove a cyst at home. Doing this may cause skin infection, bleeding, scarring, or blood poisoning (a dangerous infection spreading through the bloodstream).