What is a cyst?
Cysts are lumps or sacs that can form in the body’s bones, organs, or tissues, forming a pocket filled with skin cells, bacteria, or pus. Depending on the type of cyst, they can grow dramatically in size as more skin cells are trapped and can form anywhere on the body. Most cysts are benign or noncancerous, but the location of the cyst, its type, and whether it is causing pain, discomfort, or infection may mean removal is needed. Lumps and cysts can get irritated when rubbing or getting caught on clothing, but it may be a cosmetic concern in some cases. The most common cysts and lumps requiring removal include sebaceous cysts, pilar cysts, cystic acne, dermoid cysts, epidermoid cysts, breast cysts, and ganglion cysts.
How is a cyst or lump removed?
Not every cyst must be removed, but it may be required depending on the factors mentioned. Patients must seek medical advice and surgical removal rather than attempting to remove cysts themselves, as this can cause scarring and, in some cases, a reoccurrence of the cyst or lump. Removal methods include:
Drainage
A small incision is made to drain the cyst under local anaesthetic. This technique is not recommended for epidermoid or pilar cysts, as this only drains the cyst, and they will eventually reoccur. This method can cause a degree of scarring both on the surface skin layer and the deeper tissue layers. Patients will need to take antibiotics to prevent the threat of infection and keep the wound dressed for several days.
Fine-needle aspiration
A thin needle is inserted into the cyst to drain the fluid, making the lump less noticeable. This is a standard method for breast cysts and is often used in biopsy procedures to determine if the lump or cyst contains cancerous cells.
Surgery
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area of the cyst where a small cut is made, and the lesion is pulled out. Cysts such as ganglion, Baker’s and dermoid cysts are usually removed via this method. Surgical removal can cause scarring but is dependent on the size, location, and your body’s natural healing.
