Cyst – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
A cyst is an enclosed, sac-like pocket of tissue filled with fluid, air, or semi-solid material. Cysts can form in almost any part of the body and are usually benign.
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A cyst is an enclosed, sac-like pocket of tissue filled with fluid, air, or semi-solid material. Cysts can form in almost any part of the body and are usually benign.
What Is a Cyst?
A cyst is an abnormal, closed sac-like structure within body tissue that is enclosed by a distinct membrane or capsule. It can be filled with fluid, air, mucus, or semi-solid material. Cysts may develop in virtually any organ or tissue of the human body, including the skin, kidneys, liver, ovaries, and brain. The vast majority of cysts are benign and cause no symptoms. However, depending on their size and location, they can occasionally cause discomfort or – in rare cases – be associated with malignancy.
Causes
Cysts can develop for a wide variety of reasons:
- Blocked ducts or glands: When a gland or duct becomes obstructed, secretions can accumulate and form a cyst.
- Infections and inflammation: Chronic inflammation or infections can lead to cyst formation, as seen in abscesses.
- Genetic conditions: Disorders such as polycystic kidney disease cause numerous cysts to form due to inherited gene mutations.
- Parasitic infections: Certain parasites, such as Echinococcus, can cause cysts to develop in organs like the liver or lungs.
- Developmental abnormalities: Some cysts arise before birth due to abnormal tissue development during the embryonic stage.
- Tumour-related cysts: In rare cases, tumours may form cystic structures.
Symptoms
Many cysts are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally during routine examinations. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Pressure or pain in the affected area
- A visible or palpable lump beneath the skin
- Impaired function of adjacent organs (e.g., urinary obstruction from a kidney cyst)
- Signs of infection such as redness, warmth, or fever if the cyst becomes infected
- Hormonal irregularities in the case of ovarian cysts, such as irregular menstruation
Diagnosis
Cysts are most commonly diagnosed using imaging techniques:
- Ultrasound (sonography): The standard method for detecting and evaluating cysts in internal organs.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Provides detailed images and helps differentiate between benign and potentially malignant lesions.
- Computed tomography (CT scan): Particularly useful for deep-seated cysts or precise localisation.
- Fine-needle aspiration: A sample of the cyst contents is withdrawn with a needle and sent for laboratory analysis to determine its nature.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the cyst as well as the presence of symptoms:
- Watchful waiting: Small, asymptomatic cysts are often simply monitored with periodic follow-up examinations.
- Aspiration: The fluid inside the cyst is drained using a needle. This does not always prevent recurrence.
- Sclerotherapy: After aspiration, a sclerosing agent is injected into the cavity to prevent it from refilling.
- Surgical removal: Large, symptomatic, or suspicious cysts may require surgical excision, either by open surgery or minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques.
- Medication: Parasitic cysts, such as those caused by Echinococcus, are treated with antiparasitic drugs.
When to See a Doctor
Medical advice should be sought if a cyst becomes painful, grows rapidly, shows signs of infection, or if general symptoms such as fever develop. Any newly discovered lump or swelling should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
References
- Kumar, V., Abbas, A.K., Aster, J.C. - Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th edition, Elsevier, 2020.
- Townsend, C.M. et al. - Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 21st edition, Elsevier, 2021.
- World Health Organization (WHO) - International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), 2023. Available at: https://icd.who.int
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