Whether a cyst can be left untreated depends entirely on its type, location, and behavior. A cyst is defined as a closed sac with a distinct membrane, filled with fluid, air, or semi-solid material. While many cysts are harmless and may never cause a problem, others carry risks that require professional medical evaluation.
Defining the Risk: When Cysts Are Harmless
Many cysts that form just beneath the skin’s surface are considered benign and often do not require any intervention. Small epidermal inclusion cysts, for example, are common and arise when surface skin cells are trapped deeper beneath the skin, forming a sac filled with keratin. These are typically slow-growing, painless, and may remain stable in size for years without causing any symptoms.
Another common type, the ganglion cyst, frequently develops near joints or tendons, especially in the wrist or hand. These are filled with a thick, jelly-like fluid similar to that found in joints, and they are not cancerous. Small ganglion cysts may spontaneously fluctuate in size or disappear completely without any medical treatment.
For a cyst that is asymptomatic, small, and located superficially, a medical professional may recommend a strategy known as “watchful waiting.” This approach involves monitoring the growth for any changes rather than immediate removal. These growths pose no inherent threat to health and often remain an aesthetic or minor physical presence rather than a medical concern.
The Dangers of Ignoring a Cyst: Potential Complications
Even a typically benign cyst can lead to localized problems if it is ignored or subjected to irritation. One of the most frequent complications is infection, which occurs when bacteria, often normal skin flora like Staphylococcus aureus, enter the cyst capsule. An infected cyst rapidly becomes inflamed, characterized by localized tenderness, redness, and warmth to the touch, and can progress into a painful abscess.
A cyst rupture represents another serious localized danger, particularly with superficial growths. If the cyst wall breaks, its contents, such as the keratin from an epidermal cyst, are released into the surrounding soft tissue. This material is recognized as a foreign substance by the body, triggering a significant inflammatory response that causes acute pain and swelling.
Leaving a cyst to grow can also lead to chronic pain or discomfort due to mechanical irritation. As the mass expands, it can exert pressure on nearby nerves or restrict movement in adjacent tissues and joints. This constant pressure can degrade quality of life.
Urgent Indicators: When Medical Intervention Is Mandatory
Certain signs and circumstances indicate that a cyst requires immediate professional medical evaluation. Cysts located deep within the body, such as those found in the ovary, liver, or pancreas, carry an inherent risk and cannot be simply left untreated. Ovarian cysts, for instance, can cause complications like torsion, where the ovary twists on its blood supply, or rupture with internal bleeding, both of which are acute emergencies.
Rapid or irregular growth of any cyst, regardless of its location, is a red flag that necessitates prompt investigation. Any change in the cyst’s appearance, such as bleeding, the development of irregular borders, or a significant change in color, can suggest a more complex process, including the rare possibility of malignancy.
Systemic symptoms accompanying a cyst are also urgent indicators, signaling that the localized problem has become widespread. The presence of a fever or chills suggests a severe, systemic infection that requires immediate antibiotic treatment. Other concerning signs include unexpected weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty moving a limb, as these may point toward obstruction or a more serious underlying condition. Because a layperson cannot reliably distinguish between a harmless cyst and a tumor, professional evaluation remains the safest course of action when uncertainty or concerning symptoms arise.