A cyst is a cystic mass with a cystic cavity and a cystic wall, containing fluid, semi-fluid (fluid, cells, and cell products), or solid material. Cysts can occur in various tissues and organs, including hair and nails, and are generally categorized as either congenital or acquired. The specific etiology of cysts in different locations varies. The vast majority of cysts are benign, with only a very small minority potentially becoming malignant.
Clinical classification
There are many ways to classify cysts, which can usually be classified according to morphology, etiology, pathological structure, pathological properties, etc.
1. Classification by morphology
(1) Single cyst.
(2) Multiple cysts.
(3) Diffuse cysts.
2. Classification by cause
(1) Congenital cyst.
(2) Hereditary cysts.
(3) Physiological cysts.
(4) Inflammatory cysts (retention cysts).
(5) Parasitic cysts.
(6) Traumatic cyst.
(7) Infectious cysts.
(8) Tumorous cysts (cystic tumors).
3. Classification by pathological structure
(1) True cyst.
(2) Pseudocyst.
4. Classification by pathological nature
(1) Benign cyst.
(2) Malignant cyst.
Epidemiology
Contagious
Cysts themselves are not contagious. However, a small number of cysts may be caused by pathogens such as parasites, which can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route.
Incidence
Due to the complexity of the location and specific types of cysts, there are currently no reports on overall incidence rates. The incidence rates of cysts in different locations and types can vary significantly. For example, the incidence of non-parasitic liver cysts is approximately 4.65% to 10%, increasing with age, while the incidence of parasitic liver cysts has gradually decreased. The incidence of renal cysts in people over 50 years old can reach approximately 50%. In addition, ovarian cysts, sebaceous cysts, and ganglion cysts are common cysts with a high incidence rate, while splenic cysts and omental cysts are rare cysts with a very low incidence rate.
Incidence trend
The incidence of certain types of cysts, such as liver cysts and kidney cysts, increases with age.
Causes
Overview
The causes of cysts are complex and diverse, and can be categorized into two main types: congenital and acquired. Congenital factors primarily include developmental abnormalities or genetic factors, while acquired factors primarily include physiological factors, inflammation, parasites, trauma, infection, and tumors.
Basic cause
1. Congenital factors
(1) Congenital developmental abnormalities: including congenital liver cysts, congenital lung cysts, congenital bile duct cysts, congenital branchial cleft cysts, congenital pancreatic cysts, congenital brain cysts, etc., all of which are congenital cystic expansions formed due to congenital developmental abnormalities of local structures during embryonic development.
(2) Genetic factors: including polycystic liver disease, polycystic kidney disease, polycystic pancreas, and external root sheath cysts, all of which are hereditary cysts with clear pathogenic genes. For example, some polycystic liver disease patients have mutations in genes such as PRKSCH, SEC63, and GANAB.
2. Acquired factors
(1) Physiological factors: generally refers to physiological cysts of the ovary, including follicular cysts in the follicular phase and corpus luteum cysts in the luteal phase. They may change with the menstrual cycle, appear at a certain time, and then shrink and disappear on their own after a period of time.
(2) Inflammation: Also known as retention cyst, it is one of the common acquired factors that cause cysts. Inflammation of various tissues and organs can lead to tissue necrosis and fluid accumulation, thus forming cystic lesions.
(3) Parasites: including Hydatid cysts, Fasciola hepatica, Clonorchis sinensis, etc., which can parasitize in the liver, lungs, brain and other parts of the body, causing local chronic inflammation or granulation hyperplasia, thereby forming cysts.
(4) Trauma: Trauma is also one of the common causes of cysts. However, the cyst wall formed by trauma does not contain epithelial cells, but is formed by a large amount of fibrous proliferation of the surrounding tissue, so it is a pseudocyst.
(5) Infection: In addition to parasites, pathogens such as fungi and tuberculosis can also cause local tissue necrosis and form cystic structures.
(6) Tumor: rare, also known as cystic tumor, including cystadenoma, cystadenocarcinoma and cysts caused by degeneration of malignant tumors, etc., which are more common in the pancreas, ovary, liver and other parts.
symptom
Overview
Most patients have small, slow-growing cysts that are generally asymptomatic and are often discovered during physical examinations or tests for other diseases. However, larger, faster-growing cysts that compress adjacent structures, become infected, rupture, are located in a specific location, or become malignant can cause clinical symptoms, depending on the cyst type, location, and severity.
Typical symptoms
1. Early symptoms
The vast majority of cysts are benign lesions. In the early stages, they are small, grow slowly, and generally have no clinical symptoms. However, a small number of patients may experience mild local discomfort, dull pain, or swelling due to the pulling of surrounding tissues, which can easily go unnoticed.
2. Compression symptoms
When cysts in different parts of the body grow to a certain size or compress adjacent structures, they can cause corresponding compression symptoms.
(1) When liver cysts grow to a certain size, they may compress surrounding organs, such as the stomach, duodenum, and colon, causing digestive tract symptoms such as loss of appetite, belching, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. When compressing the common bile duct, it may cause jaundice.
(2) When a renal cyst compresses the renal pelvis, it can cause back pain. Long-term compression can lead to hydronephrosis and secondary infection, resulting in infection symptoms. In addition, a small number of patients may develop renal hypertension due to compression of adjacent blood vessels by renal cysts.
(3) When an ovarian cyst grows to a certain size, it may compress the adjacent pelvic and abdominal organs, causing symptoms such as urinary urgency, urinary retention, dysuria, and constipation. When the cyst is large, it may compress the diaphragm, causing palpitations and dyspnea.
(4) A ganglion cyst at the wrist may compress the median nerve, causing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome such as numbness in the fingers and weakness in the thumb muscles. A ganglion cyst at the ankle may compress the tibial nerve, causing symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome such as pain in the sole or heel, numbness in the sole, and limited toe movement.
(5) Esophageal cysts can compress the esophagus and trachea, causing symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and suffocation.
(6) Cysts in the sinuses can compress the optic nerve and cause acute visual impairment, such as decreased vision and visual field loss.
(7) Pericardial cysts can compress the heart and mediastinal nerves, causing symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chest pain, cough, and edema.
(8) Brain cysts can compress the brain’s nerve tissue, causing epileptic seizures, increased intracranial pressure, sensory impairment, abnormal growth and development, etc.
(9) Cysts in other parts of the body may also cause corresponding compression symptoms.
3. Symptoms of infection
(1) When a cyst on the surface of the body becomes infected, it can cause local infection symptoms such as skin redness, swelling, and local pain.
(2) When cysts in internal organs become infected, they can cause systemic infection symptoms such as chills, fever, and elevated white blood cell count. Long-term and repeated infections can lead to adhesions of surrounding tissues and affect organ function.
4. Rupture symptoms
(1) Ovarian cysts may rupture spontaneously or traumatically. In mild cases, it may manifest as sudden lower abdominal pain of a mild degree; in severe cases, it may present with severe abdominal pain accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, anemia, fainting, and even shock.
(2) After a liver cyst ruptures suddenly, persistent pain in the upper abdomen may occur, which worsens with deep breathing, without radiating pain, and may be accompanied by fever or even shock. In addition, when a liver hydatid cyst ruptures, it may cause allergic reactions such as itching and urticaria. In severe cases, it may lead to anaphylactic shock and circulatory failure, manifested by cold sweats, pale complexion, cold limbs, and even low blood pressure and confusion.
5. Surface lumps
Skin cysts, superficial cysts, and larger pelvic cysts can all be felt as lumps on the surface of the body. The texture, hardness, mobility, and accompanying symptoms of the lumps caused by different cysts vary.
6. Others
(1) Ovarian cysts may cause menstrual disorders.
(2) Polycystic ovary patients may also experience symptoms of endocrine disorders such as hirsutism, amenorrhea, and obesity.
(3) When the ovarian cyst pedicle is torsion, the patient may suddenly experience severe lower abdominal pain, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, syncope and even shock.
(4) Male spermatocele can lead to testicular atrophy and sexual dysfunction (such as impotence).
(5) Brain cysts may also cause mental disorders.
complication
Common complications of various cysts include infection, rupture, bleeding, acute abdomen, etc. In addition, cysts in different locations and types may also cause corresponding complications.
1. Liver cysts may also be complicated by portal hypertension, obstructive jaundice, liver function damage, etc. Rupture of hepatic hydatid cysts may also be complicated by anaphylactic shock.
2. Patients with polycystic kidney disease may also suffer from complications such as hydronephrosis, urinary tract obstruction, renal hypertension, and chronic renal failure.
3. Ovarian cysts can also be complicated by ovarian cyst torsion, and postmenopausal women may experience malignant transformation. Severe secondary infection of ovarian cysts during pregnancy can also lead to sepsis and toxic shock.
4. Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome may suffer from obstetric complications such as spontaneous abortion, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, etc. during pregnancy, and may also suffer from severe obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc. in the long term.
5. Pancreatic pseudocyst may also be complicated by massive gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatic ascites, pleural effusion, diffuse peritonitis, fistula formation, etc.
6. Congenital common bile duct cyst may also be complicated by bile duct stones and gallbladder cancer.
examine
Scheduled inspection
Patients often seek medical attention after discovering a cyst during a physical examination or incidentally, or after experiencing compression symptoms, infection symptoms, or a superficial mass. Doctors typically begin with a physical examination and then, depending on the situation, select additional tests such as blood count, blood biochemistry, immunology, tumor markers, ultrasound, CT, MRI, laparoscopy, nasal endoscopy, cystoscopy, and pathology to assist in the diagnosis.
Physical examination
1. Visual examination
Through visual examination, the doctor can initially observe whether there are any lumps on the surface of the body, body asymmetry, rashes, yellowing of the skin and sclera, etc.
2. Palpation
Through palpation, doctors can examine the corresponding parts of the patient and determine the nature and characteristics of the cyst by evaluating the texture, size, boundary, mobility, etc. of the cyst, which helps in preliminary diagnosis.
3. Percussion
Percussion can help doctors assess the condition of the tissues and organs beneath the cyst, as well as the internal composition of the cyst.
4. Auscultation
By auscultation, the doctor can determine whether there are vascular murmurs or other abnormal sounds in the cyst area.
Laboratory tests
1. Blood routine test
Analyze the patient’s red blood cells, white blood cells, lymphocytes, platelets, etc. to preliminarily determine whether there are signs of infection, allergy, anemia, etc.
2. Blood biochemistry
For patients with polycystic liver disease, polycystic kidney disease, etc., liver and kidney function tests should be performed routinely to assess their condition.
3. Immunological examination
When echinococcosis is suspected, echinococcosis antibody testing can be performed. Commonly used methods include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting, which have high sensitivity and specificity and can provide important basis for diagnosis.
4. Tumor marker examination
In rare cases where cysts are suspected of becoming malignant, tumor marker tests, including CEA and CA125, should be performed to aid in diagnosis and differential diagnosis.
Imaging examinations
1. Ultrasound examination
Ultrasound is the preferred diagnostic method for superficial, abdominal, and gynecological cysts, offering advantages such as simplicity, reliability, repeatability, and non-invasiveness. Ultrasound can often directly demonstrate the cyst’s size, number, location, blood flow patterns, boundaries, and relationship to surrounding tissues.
2. CT examination
CT provides high-resolution cross-sectional images, enabling a relatively accurate assessment of cyst size, shape, density, and relationship to surrounding tissues. However, CT examinations involve radiation exposure and the use of contrast agents, which can pose risks to patients with renal insufficiency. Therefore, CT is primarily used as a supplemental examination after ultrasound or when ultrasound diagnosis is difficult.
3. MRI
MRI provides high-contrast images, enabling detailed assessment of the cyst’s tissue composition and relationship to surrounding structures. It is radiation-free and provides excellent soft tissue visualization, making it suitable for evaluating cysts in areas such as the brain, pelvis, thorax, and abdomen. However, MRI examinations are time-consuming and expensive, so they are often used as a supplemental examination to ultrasound.
Pathological examination
Pathological examination: A puncture biopsy can be performed under the guidance of ultrasound or CT, or a pathological examination can be performed during or after the operation to clarify the origin and benign or malignant nature of the cyst and guide subsequent treatment.
Other tests
1. Laparoscopy
The diagnostic accuracy is high, and the pathological conditions of the pelvic and abdominal organs can be observed directly. It is also an important means of treatment.
2. Nasal endoscopy
When a sinus cyst is suspected, a nasal endoscopy can be performed to examine the nasal cavity and more intuitively observe whether there are purulent secretions, structural abnormalities, polyps, etc.
3. Cystoscopy
For prostate cysts, ureteral cysts, etc., cystoscopy can also be used for examination, which can directly observe the cyst condition and take appropriate treatment.
diagnosis
Diagnostic principles
A diagnosis can generally be made based on the patient’s medical history, as well as clinical manifestations such as local discomfort, compression symptoms, infection, and surface lumps, combined with the results of auxiliary examinations such as ultrasound and CT.
treat
Treatment principles
Whether a cyst requires treatment and the choice of treatment depends primarily on its type, size, symptoms, and complications. Most cysts are benign, growing slowly. Small cysts generally present no obvious clinical symptoms and require regular follow-up observation without requiring special treatment. However, when a cyst is large and growing rapidly, causing symptoms such as local compression and infection, or leading to serious complications such as rupture, bleeding, and acute abdomen, or affecting daily life, treatment options such as medication, cyst puncture and sclerotherapy, surgery, laser therapy, and microwave therapy may be appropriate.
Drug treatment
There is currently no specific medication for cysts themselves, so drug therapy is not the primary treatment for cysts. However, drugs can be used as an auxiliary treatment for perioperative treatment, secondary infection, and some specific types of cysts.
1. Antibiotics
For skin cysts and organ cysts with secondary bacterial infection, topical or systemic antibiotics can be used for anti-infective treatment. Once the infection is under control, further treatment such as surgery can be considered. Common topical agents include mupirocin ointment, erythromycin ointment, and fusidic acid cream, while common systemic agents include penicillin, cefuroxime, and levofloxacin.
2. Drug-assisted treatment of hepatic echinococcosis
Drugs are important auxiliary treatments before and after surgery for hepatic hydatid cysts, including anti-hydatid drugs (such as albendazole and praziquantel) and anti-allergic drugs (such as hydrocortisone and dexamethasone).
3. Drug-assisted treatment of endometriosis cysts
After surgery for endometriosis cysts, adding medication to the treatment can prevent or slow the recurrence of cysts. Commonly used medications include desogestrel ethinyl estradiol and goserelin acetate sustained-release implants.
4. Drug-assisted treatment of polycystic liver disease
Recent studies have revealed that elevated intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels are a key protein regulating the formation of polycystic liver cysts. Therefore, adjuvant treatments targeting this pathogenesis, such as somatostatin analogs (such as lanreotide and octreotide) and mTOR inhibitors (such as everolimus and sirolimus), have achieved some progress, such as reducing cyst volume and alleviating symptoms. However, specific treatment options, long-term efficacy, and safety remain to be determined.
Related drugs
Mupirocin ointment, erythromycin ointment, fusidic acid cream, penicillin, cefuroxime, levofloxacin, albendazole, praziquantel, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, desogestrel ethinyl estradiol, goserelin acetate extended-release implant, lanreotide, octreotide, everolimus, sirolimus
Surgical treatment
1. Cyst puncture and sclerotherapy
It is a minimally invasive treatment method, mainly used for the diagnosis of cysts in the early stage under ultrasound guidance. With the development of diagnosis and treatment technology, cyst puncture and sclerotherapy has become one of the important treatment methods for cysts in various organs. It is widely used clinically, especially in the liver, kidney, pelvic cavity and other parts. It has the advantages of safety, effectiveness and few complications. The treatment principle is to puncture and aspirate the cyst fluid under the guidance of ultrasound or CT, and then inject a sclerosing agent such as anhydrous ethanol or polylaurin into the cyst wall, which can cause the cyst wall cell protein to coagulate and denature, the cyst wall to harden and close, the cyst fluid secretion to stop, and eventually the cyst gradually shrinks and disappears. Generally speaking, this method can be considered when the cyst diameter is greater than 5cm, or when it causes obvious clinical symptoms and complications.
2. Laparoscopic or open surgery
Although cyst aspiration and sclerotherapy have gradually replaced traditional surgery as the primary treatment for cysts, the most significant drawback is the inability to perform pathological examinations. Therefore, surgery is still necessary for suspected malignant transformation. Furthermore, in emergencies such as cyst rupture, bleeding, pedicle torsion, and acute abdomen, laparoscopic or open surgery is necessary to excise the lesion, provide irrigation and drainage, and control bleeding. The specific surgical approach depends on the cyst type and location.
3. Surface cyst resection
For surface cysts such as sebaceous cysts, dermoid cysts, and epidermoid cysts, surface cystectomy is recommended. This procedure allows for complete removal of the cyst wall under local anesthesia to prevent recurrence due to residual cyst wall. If infection occurs, medication can be used to control the infection before surgical removal.
4. Transplantation
For patients with severe polycystic liver disease and polycystic kidney disease, liver transplantation, kidney transplantation, combined liver and kidney transplantation, etc. may be needed for treatment to save the patient’s life.
physical therapy
1. Laser therapy
Laser treatment of cysts is also a new method that has been adopted in recent years. For certain types of cysts, such as lower lip mucocele, pararenal pelvic cysts, skin cysts, and ureteral cysts, laser can replace surgery to achieve better treatment results and reduce surgical bleeding and scarring.
2. Microwave therapy
For cyst types that are more difficult to treat, such as auricular pseudocysts and oral mucoceles in children, the thermal and non-thermal effects of microwave therapy have achieved better treatment results, and can reduce the number of surgical treatments and the occurrence of surgical complications.
3. Others
Physical methods including freezing, radio frequency, infrared, ultrashort wave and ultraviolet light can also be used for non-surgical treatment of some cysts.
Treatment cycle
The treatment cycle of cysts is affected by factors such as cyst type, site of onset, severity of the disease, treatment plan, timing of treatment, age and physical condition, and may vary from person to person.
Treatment costs
The cost of treating cysts can vary significantly from person to person, and the specific cost is related to the selected hospital, treatment plan, medical insurance policy, etc.
Prognosis
General prognosis
The prognosis for cyst patients varies considerably, depending on a variety of factors, including cyst type, location, severity, and the presence of complications. Generally speaking, the vast majority of cysts are benign and generally have a good prognosis with follow-up observation or active treatment. However, a few specific types of cysts may lead to serious complications, be difficult to treat, and be prone to recurrence, resulting in a poorer prognosis.
Hazards
1. When the cyst grows rapidly and becomes larger in size, it may cause corresponding compression symptoms, leading to discomfort or limited activity in the patient, affecting daily life, rest and work.
2. Some cysts may develop complications such as infection, rupture, bleeding, and acute abdomen, which may threaten the patient’s life and health in severe cases.
3. Hereditary cysts are hereditary and may be passed on to the next generation.
4. The vast majority of cysts are benign lesions and generally do not become malignant, but a very small number of cysts may become malignant as the disease progresses.
5. Certain types of cysts may also pose specific risks. For example, rupture of a hydatid cyst in the liver can cause life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome may experience adverse pregnancy outcomes and increase the risk of long-term complications such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Left untreated, brain cysts can affect adult brain function and the intellectual development of young children.
Self-healing
Most physiological cysts and a small number of pseudocysts have the potential to heal themselves and disappear on their own.
Curative
Most patients can be clinically cured with appropriate treatment, such as puncture sclerotherapy, surgery, physical therapy, etc. However, a small number of patients who develop severe complications are difficult to treat and are unlikely to be cured.
Recurrent
Some types of cysts may recur after treatment, which is related to various factors such as treatment method, incomplete surgical resection, genetics, and failure to effectively control the cause of the disease.
Metastatic
The vast majority of cysts are benign lesions and generally do not undergo malignant transformation, so they are not metastatic. However, a very small number of cysts may undergo malignant transformation. Malignant cysts have a certain degree of metastasis and may spread through local infiltration, lymphatic channels, and blood circulation.
daily
Overview
Patients should maintain a positive attitude in their daily lives, actively cooperate with treatment, and focus on self-management to help the disease heal. Postoperative care is also important. In addition, patients should have regular checkups so that doctors can understand the effectiveness of treatment and adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner.
Psychological care
1. Psychological characteristics
As the cyst progresses, it may cause symptoms such as compression and infection. Some patients may also worry that the cyst may rupture spontaneously, bleed, or even become cancerous, which may lead to negative psychological states such as anxiety, irritability, inferiority, depression, and fear.
2. Nursing measures
(1) Family members should give patients psychological support, understand, care for, and guide them, always pay attention to their condition, not ridicule them, and let them feel the warmth of their family.
(2) Patients should trust doctors, actively cooperate with treatment, take the initiative to build confidence in overcoming the disease, respect themselves and not feel inferior, and use appropriate methods to vent their negative emotions.
Medication care
Patients should understand that medication is not the primary treatment for cysts. There are no specific medications for cysts themselves, and medication is only used as an adjunct to certain types of cysts. Therefore, patients should strictly follow their doctor’s instructions and avoid adjusting their medication regimen or dosage without authorization. Also, during medication use, patients should monitor for adverse reactions and seek medical attention promptly if they experience any significant discomfort.
Postoperative care
1. Before waking up from anesthesia, the patient should lie down, and after waking up, he can be placed in a semi-recumbent position.
2. Pay attention to the degree and nature of pain at the surgical site. If there is obvious pain, inform medical staff in time.
3. Pay attention to changes in the patient’s vital signs, complications, etc. If you feel unwell, inform medical staff in time.
4. If a drainage tube is placed, the tube should be kept unobstructed to avoid twisting, folding, blockage, or falling off.
5. You can eat only after intestinal peristalsis is restored, and gradually transition from liquid diet to semi-liquid and normal diet.
6. Pay attention to whether there is obvious bleeding or exudation from the wound dressing.
7. Patients with gynecological cysts should refrain from sexual intercourse, bathing in a tub, and vaginal douching for 3 months after surgery.
Life Management
1. Family members should provide patients with a quiet and comfortable living environment, open windows frequently for ventilation, keep the indoor air fresh, and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity.
2. During the recovery period, patients should pay attention to rest, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid excessive fatigue.
3. For those whose condition is stable, they can do appropriate exercise, such as walking, Tai Chi, jogging, yoga, etc., to strengthen their physical fitness and improve their immunity, but do not choose overly strenuous exercise.
4. Those who receive conservative treatment should pay attention to protection, avoid impact on the affected part of the cyst, and prevent the cyst from rupturing.
5. Pay attention to personal and surrounding hygiene. Patients should wash their hands frequently, clean frequently, and change clothes frequently.
6. Patients with skin cysts should cut their nails frequently and avoid scratching the affected area to prevent inflammation, damage or scarring.
7. Pay attention to weather changes, add or remove clothes in time to prevent colds.
Follow-up Instructions
Whether conservatively observing or taking treatment, patients should follow the doctor’s instructions for regular checkups to promptly detect changes in the condition, evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, and delay or reduce recurrence.
diet
Dietary adjustment
For patients with cysts, scientific and reasonable dietary choices can play a role in auxiliary treatment and prevention of recurrence.
Dietary recommendations
1. Maintain a balanced diet and consume appropriate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals.
2. Increase the intake of dietary fiber, including cereals, beans, vegetables and fruits. Dietary fiber helps maintain intestinal health and promotes normal intestinal peristalsis and bowel movements.
3. Maintain adequate water intake to help maintain water balance in the body and promote urine production and excretion.
4. Limit salt intake and control sodium intake to reduce the risk of water retention in the body.
Dietary taboos
1. Avoid the intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, such as fried foods, fatty meat, butter, etc. A high-fat diet may increase the risk of cysts.
2. Reduce your intake of caffeine and other stimulants, such as coffee, strong tea, and spicy foods. These foods may irritate the cyst or worsen symptoms.
3. Reduce the intake of high-sugar foods and drinks, such as candy, cakes, sweet drinks, etc. A high-sugar diet may be related to the formation and development of cysts.
prevention
Preventive measures
There are currently no effective preventive measures for congenital cysts. For those with hereditary cysts, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis are recommended to reduce the birth rate of affected children. For those with acquired cysts, the following measures, tailored to the cause, can play a role in prevention.
1. Maintain a regular work and rest schedule, ensure adequate sleep, combine work and rest, and avoid excessive fatigue.
2. Eat a balanced diet that is light and nutritious, and avoid spicy and irritating foods.
3. Exercise moderately, avoid sitting for long periods of time, and avoid strenuous exercise and injuries.
4. Avoid traveling to epidemic areas with parasitic infections. Those who have pets at home should arrange regular physical examinations and deworming for their pets.
5. Pay attention to the correct posture of wrist exertion. Manual laborers should wear wrist guards when necessary. Those who use computers for a long time should take a 5-10 minute break every hour. During the break, they can do indoor exercise or local massage to prevent tendon ganglion cysts in the wrist.
6. Actively treat local/systemic inflammation or infection.
7. Pay attention to personal hygiene, including washing hands frequently, changing clothes frequently, keeping skin clean and healthy, brushing teeth and rinsing mouth on time in the morning and evening, washing the vulva daily for women, and maintaining hygiene during menstruation and sexual life.
Medical Guide
Emergency (120) indications
1. Sudden high fever, chills, and shivering.
2. Sudden onset of acute visual impairment, epileptic seizures, obvious yellowing of the skin and sclera, and other acute compression symptoms.
3. Sudden onset of severe abdominal pain, accompanied by persistent nausea, vomiting, fainting or even shock (such as cold and wet skin, rapid breathing, dizziness, etc.).
4. Other critical situations occur.
In all of the above cases, you must call the emergency number or go to the emergency room immediately.
Outpatient indications
1. Cyst formation is discovered accidentally during a physical examination or due to other diseases.
2. Recurring local dull pain and discomfort of unknown cause that persists without relief.
3. Found a mass on the body surface.
4. Recent occurrence of compression symptoms such as digestive tract discomfort and urinary tract symptoms.
5. Women with endocrine disorders and menstrual disorders.
6. Male with sexual dysfunction.
7. Other severe, persistent or progressive symptoms and signs occur.
All of the above require prompt medical consultation.
Treatment department
Since there are many types and locations of cysts, patients should go to the corresponding department for treatment based on the specific location of the disease, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment needs, etc.
1. If the cyst causes severe acute compression symptoms or complications, you should go to the emergency department for treatment immediately.
2. For skin cysts such as sebaceous cysts, dermoid cysts, and epidermoid cysts, you can go to a dermatologist for treatment.
3. Patients with liver cysts can go to the Department of Gastroenterology or Hepatobiliary Surgery for treatment.
4. For abdominal cysts such as splenic cysts, mesenteric cysts, and pancreatic cysts, you can go to the general surgery department for treatment.
5. Patients with renal cysts should go to the nephrology department or urology department for treatment.
6. Gynecological cysts such as ovarian cysts, fallopian tube cysts, uterine cysts, and endometriosis cysts should be treated by a gynecologist.
7. For male cysts such as prostate cysts, spermatoceles, and epididymal cysts, you should go to the andrology department for treatment.
8. If you have auricular pseudocyst, sinus cyst, tonsil cyst, etc., you should go to the ENT department for treatment.
9. If you have ganglion cysts, bone cysts, joint cysts, tendon cysts, synovial cysts, etc., you should go to an orthopedic department for treatment.
10. Eye cysts such as conjunctival cyst, lacrimal gland cyst, iris cyst, orbital mucocele, etc. require treatment at an ophthalmologist.
11. Patients with brain cysts such as arachnoid cysts, septum pellucidum cysts, hydatid cysts, cerebral perforation malformation cysts, and intracranial epidermoid cysts should go to the neurology department or neurosurgery department for treatment.
12. If you have pericardial cyst, you should go to the cardiology department or cardiac surgery department for treatment.
13. If you have breast cysts, you should go to a breast surgery doctor for treatment.
14. Oral and maxillofacial cysts such as apical cysts and jaw cysts require treatment at the dental department.
15. Congenital lung cysts, thymic cysts, etc. require visiting the respiratory department or thoracic surgery department.
Medical preparation
1. Make an appointment in advance and bring your ID card, medical insurance card, medical card, etc.
2. The doctor may perform a physical examination. It is recommended that you wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off on the day of the appointment to facilitate the examination.
3. If you have taken some medicine to relieve symptoms recently, you can bring the medicine box with you.
4. If you have had medical treatment recently, please bring relevant medical records, examination reports, laboratory test results, etc.
5. Family members can be arranged to accompany the patient to seek medical treatment.
6. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask in advance.
Questions your doctor may ask
1. Where do you feel unwell? When did it start?
2. What are the specific symptoms? Are there any other discomforts besides these?
3. Is there a regular pattern to the onset of symptoms? Under what circumstances will they become more severe?
4. Have you ever experienced this before? Does anyone in your family have a similar situation?
5. Did the lump appear suddenly or did it grow gradually?
6. Have you recently suffered any trauma? Have you traveled to an epidemic area?
7. Do you have any underlying diseases? Do you have a recent history of inflammation or infection?
8. What tests have you done before? Is there a clear diagnosis?
9. What treatments have you received? How effective were the treatments?
What questions can patients ask?
1. What disease do I have?
2. Is it benign or malignant?
3. What other tests are needed?
4. Can it be cured completely?
5. Is treatment necessary? What treatments are available?
6. How long does it take to fully recover after surgery?
7. Will there be scars left?
8. Will it relapse?
9. How often should I have a follow-up check?
10. What should we pay attention to in daily life?
11. Is this disease hereditary?