Cysts are capsules or sac-like structures, typically containing a liquid, semisolid, or gaseous material, much like a blister. There are many types, such as acne cysts, ganglion cysts, and kidney cysts.
Cysts vary in size from microscopic to very large. Very large cysts can displace internal organs.
A cyst is not a regular part of the tissue where it occurs. It has a distinct membrane and is separate from nearby tissue. The outer, or capsular, portion of a cyst is the cyst wall.
There are various types of cysts.
Acne cysts
Cystic acne, or nodulocystic acne, is a severe type of acne in which the skin’s pores become blocked, leading to infection and inflammation.
Arachnoid cysts
The
Arachnoid cysts may affect newborn babies but can persist into adulthood. Doctors call these primary arachnoid cysts.
The arachnoid membrane covers the brain. During fetal development, it doubles up or splits to form an abnormal pocket of spinal fluid. In some cases, a doctor may need to drain the cyst, although treatment is usually only necessary if the cyst causes symptoms such as headaches, issues with vision, or seizures.
Secondary arachnoid cysts develop as a result of head injury, tumors, or meningitis.
Baker’s cysts
Baker’s cysts are also known as popliteal cysts.
Some do not cause any symptoms. However, a person with a Baker’s cyst can experience:
- knee pain
- a lump behind the knee
- a feeling of fullness behind the knee
- swelling in the knee and lower leg
- stiffness or tightness located at the back of the knee
Baker’s cysts
Bartholin’s cysts
Bartholin’s cysts can occur if the ducts of the Bartholin glands, which are located just outside of the opening to the vagina near the back of the inner lips of the labia, become blocked.
If the cysts are painful, become infected, or fail to resolve with warm soaks or sitz baths, a doctor may recommend surgery or prescription antibiotics.
Breast cysts
Breast cysts are
In people assigned female at birth, these cysts can develop or change in size throughout the menstrual cycle, and they may disappear on their own. However, a doctor can drain the fluid if they are causing discomfort.
According to the
Chalazion cysts
Very small eyelid glands, known as meibomian glands, make a lubricant that comes out of tiny openings in the edges of the eyelids. If there is a blockage in the ducts, cysts, known as chalazion cysts, can form here.
According to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics for a chalazion cyst if it begins to show signs of infection or inflammation.
Most chalazion cysts can be treated with warm compresses or gentle massage and will resolve on their own. Occasionally, persistent chalazion cysts may need to be drained by a specialist.
Colloid cysts
Colloid cysts develop in the brain and contain gelatinous material.
Treatment depends on whether the cyst is causing symptoms or a buildup of fluid in the brain. A doctor
Dentigerous cysts
Dentigerous cysts surround the crown of an unerupted tooth. They typically develop in people in their 20s and 30s, though they can happen at other times.
Some people may require surgery to remove the cyst.
Dermoid cysts
Dermoid cysts comprise mature skin, hair follicles, sweat glands, and clumps of long hair, as well as fat, bone, cartilage, and thyroid tissue.
They can form
Epidermoid cyst
Epidermoid cysts contain keratin material and occur on the skin of the face, back, scalp, or scrotum.
A
Epididymal cysts
Epididymal cysts, or spermatoceles, form in the epididymis, the tube that carries sperm away from the testes. They are benign and contain a fluid that is white and cloudy. They also contain sperm.
Ganglion cysts
Ganglion cysts are small, benign cysts that form on or near a joint or the covering of a tendon.
They
A doctor may recommend draining or surgically removing the cyst if it causes pain.
Hydatid cysts
Hydatid cysts develop due to a relatively small tapeworm. These cysts form in the lungs or liver.
Treatment options include surgery and medication.
Kidney cysts
There are several types of kidney, or renal, cysts. Generally, they are harmless. Some cysts can be more concerning and may need to be monitored or removed if they have characteristics that would increase the possibility that they are cancerous.
A few diseases can lead to the formation of kidney cysts, including polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and diabetes. People with these conditions should be closely followed by their healthcare professional.
Treatment for simple solitary kidney cysts is usually not necessary. However, drainage or surgery can help manage any symptoms if they do occur.
Ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts are common in females who have regular periods. They form during ovulation. The majority of ovarian cysts are benign and cause no symptoms. However, some can become so large that the abdomen protrudes.
Rarely, the ovarian cyst can cause the ovary it is growing from to twist on its own blood supply. This condition is called ovarian torsion and causes abrupt and severe pain. Ovarian torsion is a medical emergency, and the person may need emergency surgery to save the ovary.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) refers to when the ovaries develop many small cysts. This condition can cause other health problems, including infertility and diabetes.
A doctor may recommend surgery to remove the cyst if it grows large, causes pain, does not go away on its own over time, or if there are aspects of the cyst that increase the chance that it could be cancerous.
Pancreatic cysts
Pancreatic cysts can occur when the cells of the pancreas have injuries or inflammation. They can also occur when pancreatic enzymes leak and damage the tissue of the pancreas.
There are almost 20 types of pancreatic cysts. They can be cancerous or noncancerous. Treatment can depend on the type.
Periapical cysts
Periapical cysts are the
These cysts usually develop due to inflammation of the pulp, pulp death, or tooth decay.
Doctors may recommend endodontic or root canal therapy for periapical cysts.
Pilar cysts
Pilar cysts are also known as trichilemmal cysts. They are fluid-filled cysts that form from a hair follicle and
Radical surgical excision is the main treatment for pilar cysts.
Pilonidal cysts
Pilonidal cysts form in the skin
These cysts can grow in clusters, which sometimes creates a hole or cavity in the skin.
A person may not require treatment for the cyst unless an infection develops. Then, the cyst may be incised or drained. Recurrent or painful pilonidal cysts may be surgically removed if other treatment options do not resolve the problem.
Pineal gland cysts
These benign cysts form in the pineal gland in the brain. According to a 2023 review, pineal gland cysts are common.
A person may not require surgery to remove the cyst unless it causes painful or bothersome symptoms.
Tarlov cysts
Tarlov cysts — also known as perineural, perineurial, or sacral nerve root cysts — occur at the base of the spine and contain cerebrospinal fluid.
A doctor
Vocal fold cysts
There are two types of vocal fold cysts: mucus retention cysts and epidermoid cysts.
Vocal fold cysts can interfere with the quality of a person’s speech, sometimes causing their vocal cords to produce:
- multiple tones simultaneously, known as diplophonia
- breathy speech, or dysphonia
- hoarseness
Treatment can include:
- steroids
- speech therapy
- surgery
The signs and symptoms of cysts vary widely depending on the type of cyst.
Skin cysts can cause symptoms such as:
- a lump under the skin
- fluid in the lump
- pain
- discoloration
Many internal cysts, such as those that occur in the kidneys or the liver, may not cause any symptoms at all. A person may not notice them until they show up on an imaging scan, such as an MRI, CT, or ultrasound scan.
It is unusual for some cysts, such as skin cysts, to cause pain unless they rupture, or there is inflammation or infection. However, breast cysts can cause pain.
A person may also experience headaches and other symptoms if a cyst develops on the brain.
Cysts can occur anywhere on the body. There are numerous possible causes, including:
- infections
- clogged sebaceous glands
- tumors
- genetic conditions
- a fault in an organ of a developing embryo
- a defect in the cells
- chronic inflammatory conditions
- blockages of ducts in the body that cause fluids to build up
- a parasite
- an injury that breaks a vessel
Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
Cysts are usually benign and develop due to blockages in the body’s natural drainage systems.
However, some cysts can be malignant, or cancerous. Anyone with any concerns about a cyst should consider contacting a doctor.
The treatment options for a cyst will depend on a range of factors, including the type of cyst, its location, its size, and the degree of discomfort it is causing.
For very large cysts that are causing symptoms, a doctor may recommend surgical removal.
Sometimes, a doctor can drain, or aspirate, the cyst by inserting a needle or catheter into the cavity. If the cyst is not easily accessible, they may use radiologic imaging to accurately guide the needle or catheter.
Although cysts and boils can appear similar in appearance, their causes and treatment options are different.
A cyst is a closed sac that consists of liquid, gaseous, or semisolid material.
A boil is a lump that is filled with pus and develops around hair follicles. They
Whether a doctor recommends surgery depends on the size of the cyst, the patient’s age, and whether signs of malignancy are present.
A doctor will recommend surgery to remove an ovarian cyst if it is very large, continues to grow, or is causing symptoms.
Usually, cysts less than 10 centimeters are benign and, provided they do not cause symptoms, only require watchful waiting.
A healthcare professional may request a further evaluation if the cyst measures more than 10 cm and is complex. Complex cysts are filled with either blood or hard substances.
Doctors use imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, to help determine if an ovarian cyst is cancerous. They may also perform a laparoscopy to get a sample for a biopsy.
Some cysts may disappear on their own. However, if they persist or grow larger, they may require treatment, such as surgery or aspiration.
Many cysts are benign, and they may not cause any symptoms. A person may not know they have a cyst, and the cyst may go away on its own. However, some cysts can be cancerous, so it is best to contact a doctor as soon as a person has concerns about a cyst.
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop in tissues in any part of the body. They are relatively common, and there are many different types.
Cysts can result from infections, tumors, parasites, and injuries. They are usually benign, but they can sometimes be cancerous.
If a person has concerns about a cyst or has noticed a new lump, it is best to contact a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.