What You Should Know About Having a Neck Cyst
When someone gets a neck cyst, what has happened is that they have developed an abnormal area on the body that has a closed membrane; it is normally a type of tumor that is benign. In most cases the only time a neck cyst can be a problem is if it does happen to be cancerous, or if it should become infected. It may also be a problem if it creates structure issues. These cysts come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
A neck cyst may come with several different symptoms. In a lot of cases there will be some type of lump on the neck. In addition to this, someone who has a neck cyst may have difficulty swallowing. There may also be some pain, as well as a problem when trying to move the head and neck.
There are a number of causes for the development of a neck cyst. In some cases the cyst may be neo-plastic, and is simply new tissue growth that serves no purpose. In other instances, the growth is something that has been present since birth.
When diagnosing a neck cyst there are several factors that must be taken into consideration, such as the patient’s medical history, as well as age. In the case when a child has a neck cyst, it is important to determine if it has been there since birth, or if it is a new growth. With adults, a neck cyst is most likely to be a new growth. In nearly all of these cases the doctor will probably want to do a needle aspiration biopsy. With this they will be better able to determine what type of tumor it is so that a treatment plan can be formulated.
A couple of the most common types of neck cysts include the dermoid cysts and thyroglossal duct cyst. A dermoid cyst is usually firm and non-cancerous. When someone has a neck cyst that is a dermoid, it will often be located in the middle area of the neck. When there is a mass in this area it can also be related to other conditions such as swollen lymph nodes, as well as enlarged thyroid glands. Due to the fact that there are other conditions that cause it appear as if there is a neck cyst, it’s important that the doctor determine the nature of the lump.
With a neck cyst that is a thyroglossal duct cyst, the lump will be in the midline neck area. The problem with this type of neck cyst is that if it is a large lump it may cause some difficulty with breathing, as well as swallowing. Depending on how large the lump is, it could also cause some pain, especially if there is an infection. In most cases this type of tumor will not cause pain. Treatment with both types of tumors involves removal by surgery.
When someone has had a neck cyst since birth, the doctor may want to biopsy the cyst if it is causing pain, but sometimes they will watch it to ensure it is not growing, as these types of cyst usually are not cancerous. With a cyst that is newly developed, it is important that a biopsy be done as soon as possible to rule out any malignancy.
If you develop a neck cyst or lump in any area of the neck, it is a good idea to visit your doctor to get a diagnosis. Although in most cases a neck cyst will be nothing to worry about, it is best to see your doctor to be sure.