Cyst Removal

Many a time, people get alert and confused when large lumps of tissues, known as cysts erupt anywhere in the body and feel tender and sometimes painful. Many jump to the conclusion, that they may be malign or may be an outcome of some STDs, which possibly may not be true in most cases. However, cysts have varied reasons to occur. And they could be further classified as benign and malign. For instance, in females, a lump on a breast may indicate a cyst formation or a cancerous lesion. In such cases, surgical means are adopted. However for other kinds of cysts which are non cancerous and not quite harmful, cyst removal can be done by self too.

Types of Cyst

There are three types of benign cysts that are most common. They can turn malignant in case of unhealthy development of cells

• Sebaceous cysts (round yellowish white lumps on face, neck and torso with symptoms like redness, tenderness and swelling)
• Ovarian Cysts (sac like fluid filled growths that occur on ovary, with symptoms like queasiness, pelvic pain and continuous vaginal discharge)
• Ganglion cysts (fluid filled sacs on fingers, wrist and sole of foot, with symptoms like occasional pain in hands and feet)

Cyst removal may or may not require surgical interference, depending on the gravity of the medical condition caused by the cyst.

Removing Sebaceous Cyst

Sebaceous cysts are cysts under skin, which could be caused because of impaired sebaceous glands located above hair follicles. Even damage to hair follicles can factor formation of these cysts. Birth defects and genetic factors are also palpable causes for sebaceous cysts.

Surgical Means
A sebaceous cyst is usually drained by means of corticosteroid, incising the cyst or carbon dioxide laser (vaporizing cysts). If there is a big cyst, then total excision procedure is carried out for cyst removal. The patient is given local anesthesia and then the doctor uses a scalpel or a lancet to drill into the cyst. Once the cut is made, the cyst contents (like keratin, sebum and dead skin cells) are drained out. A blunt headed scissor is used to keep the cyst open while it is being drained. Once the draining is done, the incision is disinfected thoroughly and is stitched back. There are other kinds of skin cysts too, like lipomas (subcutaneous non cancerous soft tissue tumors in skin) and Neurofibromas (soft fleshy undergrowth in deep skin tissue), which can be treated with lipoma surgery and laser treatments respectively.

Sebaceous Cyst: Removal at Home
If sebaceous cysts are small, one can try out some home tested remedies for cyst removal. Take a heating pad and apply it on the cyst for about 30 minutes, 3 - 4 times a day. If the cyst contains hardened sebum inside, the contents melt in the heat and get drained out. Hence, this sebaceous cyst home treatment may not work for cysts filled with fluid. If the cyst is quite inconspicuous, do not squeeze it how much ever you are tempted to and make a point to clean it with antibacterial soap to prevent any infection from setting in. Do NOT prick or puncture an infected cyst as there is more chance of infection spreading to other parts as well. In such case, one can bandage the cyst, as a preventive measure. Lastly, avoid more exposure to sun and oily skin care products.

Ovarian Cyst Removal

Ovarian cysts are a result of disrupted or a failed ovulation cycle. This condition rises, when the follicle does not release the egg and a cyst starts forming within the follicle. And this condition can also occur, if the egg is released, but the opening from where the egg had been released shuts up, thereby leading to a cyst formation due to excess fluid retention

Surgical Means
Only if the ovarian cyst is about 2 inches, surgery is done for removing the cyst. Women who approach menopausal stage are more prone to having ovarian cysts, although age is not quite a reason for their occurrence. The procedure to remove ovarian cysts involves insertion of a tube like telescopic camera through an incision in the abdomen. The cysts are removed during the operation. If there is a slightest doubt of the cyst turning cancerous, the woman is kept under observation for a couple of days more. Procedures like laparoscopy are carried out for removal. In case of malignant tumors in the ovary, the infected one is removed by the procedure of cystectomy or ovariotomy. In case of painful and large cysts, which are recurring, hysterectomy is advised to mitigate chances of cancer developments, if the woman has surpassed the stage of childbirth.

Ovarian Cyst: Treatment at Home
For ovarian cyst removal, surgery seems the right choice. But if the cysts are small and do not cause pain, then a change in diet can help in dissolving these cysts and mitigating their recurrence. Women can switch to an alkaline diet that comprises fresh fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts and legumes. The reason behind a diet change is, cysts cannot survive an alkaline environment. Also considering that blood is slightly alkaline with a pH value ranging between 7.35 - 7.45, an alkaline diet would help either way, maintaining the pH value and also preventing any more cyst recurrence.

Removing Ganglion Cyst

Ganglion cysts are fluid filled growths erupting on the skin of fingers, feet and wrist, where the cyst containing synovial fluid, is internally attached to a tendon sheath. These cysts may not cause a lot of pain but are definitely cosmetic aberrants. Again these can be removed by surgical techniques or they may disappear naturally, which happens in most cases.

Surgical Means
Aspiration is one of the extensively used techniques for ganglion cyst removal, in which the patient is given regional anesthesia and an 18 or 22 gauge needle attached to a 20 - 30 ml syringe is inserted right into the cyst. Once the syringe is in, the doctor removes the cyst fluid by suction. Once the suction is over, a corticosteroid medication is injected into the affected area, followed by a compression dressing. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Another technique used is excision, which is recommended if the cysts are very large. In the excision procedure, first the ganglion cyst is felt and the periphery is marked. Then using a scalpel, the sac is cut off in one go. The incision is then closed with sutures and is bandaged to prevent any infection from setting in. Although these procedures are safe, there is a risk factor of blood vessels getting damaged.

Ganglion Cyst: Removal at Home
The best natural way for ganglion cyst removal is refraining from extreme physical activities. There have been instances where acupuncture has shown desirable results in making these cysts disappear, but mind well, to try acupuncture, one must be well aware of the pressure points and its utility. In old days, people used to crush the lumps with a heavy object. However, in modern times, this method is least effective, adding on to chances of contracting infections.

The cost for cyst removal surgery is covered by your health insurance, if you have one, of course! Occurrence of cysts is not quite a rare condition, but recurrence does pose concerns. So it is better to be alert and see a doctor, if these cysts indicate cancerous developments in the body.