Cyst (Cysts)
- Cyst Overview
- Cyst Causes
- Cyst Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Cyst Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Surgery
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Cysts - Effective Treatments
Cyst Overview
A cyst is an abnormal, sac-like structure that can be found anywhere in the body. Cysts usually contain a gaseous, liquid, or semisolid substance and have an outer wall, known as the capsule. Cysts may be small and visible only under a microscope, or they may grow to a very large size and displace normal body structures.
Cysts occur commonly in numerous tissues and organs and are often named according to their particular anatomic location (for example ovarian cysts, bladder cysts, breast cysts, liver cysts, kidney cysts, pancreatic cysts, vaginal cysts, skin cysts, thyroid cysts). Certain types of cysts also have special designations and nomenclature. Examples of these include:
- Ganglion cyst: a cyst around a
tendon, most commonly
occurring at the wrist
- Baker's cyst: a cyst containing joint fluid that is located in
popliteal space behind
the knee
- Bartholin cyst:
cystic enlargement of small glands near the
vaginal opening
- Nabothian cyst: a mucus-filled cyst on the surface of the uterine
cervix
- Pilonidal cysts:
cysts that arise in the soft tissue at the base of the
tailbone (coccyx) of the lower back, just above the natal cleft (the cleavage
between the buttocks
- Dermoid cyst: a type of benign tumor of the ovary that contains multiple cystic spaces and various tissue types
Next: Cyst Causes »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Cysts - Effective Treatments
The symptoms of cysts can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your initial symptoms?
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Simple Bone Cyst »
The simple bone cyst is a common, benign, fluid-containing lesion, usually occurring in the metaphysis of long bones.
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