Introduction: On the road of pursuing health, everyone is the first guardian of their own body. However, in the process of guarding, we may encounter some unknown challenges. Sometimes, during a self-examination or an inadvertent touch, we may notice an unusual lump in one part of the body.
Some of these lumps are like the tip of an iceberg floating on the surface of the water, bare on the surface of the skin, while others are like hidden treasures hidden deep in the guts that can only be unveiled by sophisticated imaging tests.
The wonderful thing about the human body is that every individual is unique. This uniqueness is also reflected in the lumps, as each person's lumps may vary in shape and size, from isolated to grouped.
Some lumps may come and go away without causing any pain, while others may be like boulders, raising doubts about whether they are hiding a larger danger.
Among them, the initial manifestations of tumors and some cancers often appear in the form of masses. This concern is not unfounded, but a natural human reaction to the unknown and potential dangers.
Therefore, when we find these lumps on our bodies, we inevitably wonder if they are benign cysts or malignant tumors, and do they need further treatment?
01
What is a Cyst?
A cyst is a fluid-filled or semi-solid sac-like structure that forms in the human body or animal. These structures can appear in any part of the body, including skin, organs, and tissues. Cysts can be born or acquired due to various reasons.
Cysts can form for a variety of reasons and can be hereditary or due to a disease or injury. Some common types of cysts include ovarian cysts, kidney cysts, liver cysts, and skin cysts, among others. Cysts also vary in size and shape, with some cysts being as small as a few millimeters in size and others reaching tens of centimeters.
Most of the time, cysts are harmless and do not cause any symptoms. However, if the cyst is too large or presses on surrounding tissues or organs, it can cause pain, swelling, or other uncomfortable symptoms. In addition, some cysts may become infected or bleed and require medical intervention.
02
Cysts ≠ tumors!
Cysts and tumors, although the two are only one word different from each other, are actually very different. Cyst, the term in the medical field, does not mean malignant disease, it does not belong to the category of tumors in the traditional sense. On the contrary, cysts are seen more as a benign lesion.
Cysts, small "blisters", can appear in all corners of our body, whether deep in the internal organs or exposed under the skin. Among them, the liver and kidneys are the most common habitats for cysts, so we often hear the terms "kidney cyst" and "liver cyst".
Kidney cysts can be further subdivided into simple solitary kidney cysts and multiple kidney cysts. As for cysts on the skin, the most common is epidermoid cysts.
The inside of these cysts is usually filled with clear fluid. These fluids may be an accumulation of metabolites, or they may be a by-product of a physiological process.
Most of the time, these cysts are very small and they are silently present in our body without causing any discomfort.
Therefore, for such small cysts, we usually do not need special treatment, just regular follow-up tests to make sure that they have not undergone abnormal changes.
03
What causes cysts to appear?
Genetic factors
There is a genetic link between the appearance of cysts. Some family studies have shown that family members with cysts are prone to genetic transmission of cysts. This may be related to mutations in specific genes or abnormal expression of genetic information.
Congenital developmental abnormalities
Cysts are sometimes caused by congenital developmental abnormalities. During embryonic development, certain tissues or organs fail to develop according to the normal pattern, leading to the formation of cysts. This dysplasia can involve multiple systems and organs, including the skin, kidneys, ovaries, and more.
Inflammatory Infection
Inflammation and infection are among the common causes of cyst formation. When a part of the body is stimulated by inflammation or infection, local tissues may undergo reactions such as congestion, edema, and exudation, eventually forming cysts. For example, dental cysts are often caused by inflammation around the teeth.
Endocrine disorders
Endocrine disorders can also lead to the formation of cysts. Certain cysts are closely related to changes in hormone levels, such as ovarian cysts, breast cysts, etc. When hormone levels in the body are out of balance, it can stimulate abnormal growth in the tissues involved, eventually forming cysts.
Trauma and surgery
During wound recovery after trauma and surgery, local tissues may fibrosis and wrap up, forming cysts. This type of cyst is usually caused by an abnormal reaction during wound healing.
04
Doctor reminds that most cysts do not need to be treated
In the medical field, we are well aware that most cysts grow relatively slowly in the patient's body, and their evolution process often takes a long time, so in most cases, their impact on the body is relatively small.
This is due to the body's own immunity and the regulation of the endocrine system, which are like delicate regulators that maintain the body's internal balance at all times. It is worth noting that there is a small percentage of cysts that do have the potential to shrink spontaneously due to the combined action of autoimmunity and endocrine regulation, which undoubtedly brings a glimmer of hope to patients.
However, we also cannot ignore the potential risks that cysts can pose. Over time, especially with age, cysts can mutate, which undoubtedly increases the difficulty and complexity of treatment.
Therefore, we must maintain a high degree of vigilance against cysts, especially the following three types of cysts, which require our close attention:
05
Doctor reminds: Most cysts do not need to be treated, but if the cyst grows in these 3 places, you should be vigilant
Pancreatic cysts
In clinical practice, the symptoms of pancreatic cysts are most often classified as benign lesions, and according to statistics, the proportion is as high as more than 85%. Compared with pancreatic tumors, the prevalence of pancreatic cysts is relatively low, only about 10.5%.
Pancreatic cysts are relatively stable, and because of their small size, many patients do not need immediate aggressive treatment at the time of initial diagnosis. In such cases, doctors often advise patients to take conservative medication to stabilize the condition and observe the growth of the cyst.
However, although most pancreatic cysts are benign, patients need to pay close attention to changes in their condition. If there is a significant phased increase in the cyst site in a short period of time, or if the patient feels increased pain in the lower abdomen, this may be a sign of deterioration.
Faced with this situation, the patient should seek medical attention immediately and undergo local surgical excision on the advice of the doctor. Surgical resection can effectively inhibit the development of the lesion and prevent further deterioration of the condition.
肝脏囊肿
Liver cysts are a relatively common condition that refers to cysts that form inside the liver. These cysts can be single or multiple, ranging in size from small ones as small as a few millimeters to large ones that can reach tens of centimeters.
Due to its specific growth location, the liver, an important metabolic organ, the presence of cysts is undoubtedly a cause for concern. Thankfully, however, cysts within 3-4 cm in diameter do not have a noticeable effect on the function of the liver in most cases, so patients usually do not experience any discomfort or symptoms.
Because of this, many people with liver cysts often spend their time unknowingly. They may be normal in their daily lives without any abnormal sensations. It wasn't until a routine physical examination or when I went to the doctor for other health problems that I found out that I had a liver cyst through imaging tests such as B-ultrasound.
However, there are also some patients who begin to feel discomfort when the liver cyst gradually grows in size to 10-20 centimeters. At this time, the cyst may put pressure on the liver, causing symptoms such as pain and bloating in the liver area. The appearance of these symptoms often reminds patients of the need to seek medical attention in time for further examination and treatment of liver cysts.
Ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts are a common condition in gynaecological diseases, mainly due to the presence of cystic tissue in the female ovaries or epidermis. The occurrence of this phenomenon is affected by a combination of factors, and it is not limited by age limits, and women of any age can encounter it.
In terms of clinical manifestations, ovarian cysts are mainly divided into two categories: physiological cysts and pathological cysts. Physiological cysts are usually related to a woman's menstrual cycle and will resolve naturally with changes in the menstrual cycle without too much concern. However, pathological cysts need to be taken seriously because they may be caused by some underlying diseases, such as endometriosis, ovarian tumors, etc.
When we are faced with the diagnosis of ovarian cysts, the first thing to focus on is the test results of tumor markers. If the tumor marker is normal, then in most cases, we can consider it a benign cyst. For single ovarian cysts, if they can be controlled within 5 cm in diameter, they usually do not cause serious health problems.
However, even so, we should not take it lightly. Because the presence of ovarian cysts can have a potential impact on our quality of life and physical health. Therefore, we need to have regular gynecological examinations to detect and treat ovarian cysts in time to protect our health.
06
If you want to stay away from cysts, it is important to learn to prevent them
Maintain a healthy diet
We should focus on a balanced and varied diet, and consume more foods rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc. At the same time, reduce the intake of high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt foods to reduce the risk of cysts.
Increase physical activity
Proper exercise can help us maintain a healthy weight, strengthen our immunity, and promote blood circulation, which can help prevent the formation of cysts. It is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling, etc.
Avoid long-term stress
Long-term exposure to high pressure can easily lead to endocrine disorders, which increases the risk of cysts. Therefore, we must learn to adjust our mentality, maintain a positive and optimistic attitude towards life, and properly relax and reduce stress.
Pay attention to personal hygiene
Keeping the skin clean and avoiding infection is one of the important measures to prevent cysts. We should develop a good habit of bathing and changing underwear frequently, and avoid sitting for a long time so as not to increase the probability of cysts.
Have regular medical check-ups
Through regular physical examinations, we can detect and deal with some potential problems that may lead to cysts in time, so as to effectively prevent the occurrence of cysts.
07
Read more: Do cysts go away on their own?
For the question of whether the cyst will go away on its own, the answer depends on the type and location of the cyst. Some cysts may go away on their own, especially those due to inflammation or infection.
When the inflammation or infection is controlled, the cyst may gradually shrink and eventually disappear. However, most cysts don't go away on their own, and they may persist or even grow in size over time.
What should we do with cysts that don't go away on their own? First of all, we need to watch the cysts change regularly. If the cyst doesn't enlarge or cause any symptoms, then no specific treatment may be needed. However, if the cyst continues to grow in size or causes pain, pressure, or other symptoms, then you need to seek help from your doctor.
Your doctor may recommend a series of tests to determine the nature and location of the cyst. Depending on the situation, your doctor may choose to surgically remove the cyst or use medications or other treatments to reduce symptoms.
It is important to note that the choice of treatment should be based on the doctor's recommendation, as different types of cysts may require different treatments.