Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCyst vs. TumorCancerous CystsImagingRemovalRecurrenceSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cyst vs. Tumor
Cancerous Cysts
Imaging
Removal
Recurrence
Seeking Medical Care
Have you ever wondered about the differences between a cyst and a tumor? To make a diagnosis, a healthcare provider will use imaging scans and other procedures to distinguish between the two types of growths. A proper diagnosis is crucial in determining treatment.
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Comparing a Cyst vs. Tumor
Acystis a saclike pocket of tissue containing air, pus, fluid, or other materials. They are usually benign (noncancerous) and often form on the skin due to an infection, or clogged oil glands.Cysts can also occur in various parts of the body, including the breasts, ovaries, and kidneys.
Cyst symptoms depend on the type and location of the cyst. Symptoms may include:
A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells that can be either benign or malignant (cancerous).
Tumor symptoms depend on the type and location of the tumor and may include:
It’s important to note that these symptoms can vary widely depending on the type and location of the tumor. If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they persist or worsen over time, see your healthcare provider immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.
A Word From Verywell
—MARISA GARSHICK, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
It’s important to note that the texture and feel can widely vary depending on the type, location, and stage of the cyst or tumor. Also, it’s crucial not to rely solely on touch for diagnosis. Medical evaluation, including imaging tests and a possibly biopsy, is necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Cysts have the following characteristics:
Signs indicating a potentially concerning lump or tumor under the skin include:
Where They Occur
Cysts and tumors can occur in nearly every part of the body including bones, tissues, organs, and skin. Common areas for them to appear include:
Both cysts and tumors can potentially develop in other organs or tissues as well.
Formation
A tumor forms when cells undergo uncontrolled and excessive growth due to genetic mutations, leading to the formation of an abnormal mass of tissue that can be benign or malignant.
Risk factors for tumors include:
A cyst forms when fluid, air, or other substances accumulate within a sac-like pocket of tissue, often due to blocked ducts, hormonal changes, infections, or developmental abnormalities.
Cysts frequently occur on the skin, often from clogged sebaceous glands due to acne.
You might be more likely to get a cysts on the skin if:
Cysts That May Become Cancerous
Fortunately, cysts are almost always noncancerous. There are distinct differences between a cyst and a tumor. A cyst is a pouch within tissue that contains fluid, air, or other materials, while a tumor is an irregular growth of tissue that is not typical for the area.
Some types of cysts have the potential to become cancerous. examples include:
Cyst vs. Tumor on Scans
Your healthcare provider may use an ultrasound to examine a tumor or cyst in the body. A cyst typically has smooth walls and contains clear fluid, while a tumor appears solid.
Additional imaging tests your provider may request may include:
Sometimes, your healthcare provider will request a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis.
Removing a Cyst vs. Tumor
Cysts are often removed through a straightforward procedure, such as aspiration (draining the fluid) or excision (surgical removal). Depending on the size and location of the cyst, local anesthesia may be sufficient for the removal procedure.
Tumor removal often requires a more complex surgical approach, especially for larger or deep-seated tumors. This may involve open surgery or minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy (a surgical procedure in which a thin tube with an attached camera is inserted into the abdomen). Tumor removal usually requires general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort and safety during the procedure.
Possibility of Cyst vs. Tumor Coming Back
The possibility of a cyst or tumor coming back depends on several factors, including the following:
Some cysts do not need to be treated if they are not causing any health problems. Even if removed it is possible for some cysts to come back.Some cysts, such as ovarian cysts, may require regular monitoring to detect any recurrence or new developments.
Malignant tumors, especially if not completely removed or treated, have a higher risk of recurrence. The aggressiveness of the tumor and its ability to spread can influence the likelihood of recurrence. The success of treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy will help determine the risk of tumor recurrence.
If You’re Unsure About a Mass on Your Body
If you are unsure about a mass on your body, see your healthcare provider right away, especially if the lump or mass:
These signs could indicate underlying issues that require further evaluation.
Summary
Distinguishing between a cyst and a tumor is vital for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. While cysts are typically benign saclike structures containing various materials, tumors can be benign or malignant abnormal growths of cells.
Understanding their differences in appearance, feel, symptoms, and potential for recurrence guides healthcare providers in providing appropriate care and management. If unsure about any mass on your body, seeking medical evaluation promptly is crucial for proper diagnosis and management.
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19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medline Plus.Cyst.Harvard Health Publishing.Cysts (overview).DermNet.Cutaneous cysts and pseudocysts.Medline Plus.Tumor.Patel A.Benign vs malignant tumors. JAMA Oncol. 2020;6(9):1488. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.2592Dana-Faber Cancer Institute.When should I worry about a lump under the skin?TreatCancer.com.Tumor vs cysts: Differences, diagnosis, and treatments.Fox Chase Cancer Center.Cysts vs. Tumors: 7 things you need to know.Dana Faber Cancer Institute.Cyst vs. tumor: What is the difference?NHS.Skin cyst.Faltaous AA, Leigh EC, Ray P, Wolbert TT.A rare transformation of epidermoid cyst into squamous cell carcinoma: a case report with literature review.Am J Case Rep. 2019;20:1141-1143. DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.912828Ovarian Cancer Research Association.Science made simple: ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer.American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.Houston Methodist.Breast cysts vs. breast cancer: How to decipher the difference.American Cancer Society.Test for ovarian cancer.American Family Physician.Minimal excision technique for removal of an epidermoid cyst.Temple University.Tumor resection surgery.Medline Plus.Ovarian cyst.Canadian Cancer Society.Non-cancerous soft tissue tumours.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Medline Plus.Cyst.Harvard Health Publishing.Cysts (overview).DermNet.Cutaneous cysts and pseudocysts.Medline Plus.Tumor.Patel A.Benign vs malignant tumors. JAMA Oncol. 2020;6(9):1488. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.2592Dana-Faber Cancer Institute.When should I worry about a lump under the skin?TreatCancer.com.Tumor vs cysts: Differences, diagnosis, and treatments.Fox Chase Cancer Center.Cysts vs. Tumors: 7 things you need to know.Dana Faber Cancer Institute.Cyst vs. tumor: What is the difference?NHS.Skin cyst.Faltaous AA, Leigh EC, Ray P, Wolbert TT.A rare transformation of epidermoid cyst into squamous cell carcinoma: a case report with literature review.Am J Case Rep. 2019;20:1141-1143. DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.912828Ovarian Cancer Research Association.Science made simple: ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer.American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.Houston Methodist.Breast cysts vs. breast cancer: How to decipher the difference.American Cancer Society.Test for ovarian cancer.American Family Physician.Minimal excision technique for removal of an epidermoid cyst.Temple University.Tumor resection surgery.Medline Plus.Ovarian cyst.Canadian Cancer Society.Non-cancerous soft tissue tumours.
Medline Plus.Cyst.
Harvard Health Publishing.Cysts (overview).
DermNet.Cutaneous cysts and pseudocysts.
Medline Plus.Tumor.
Patel A.Benign vs malignant tumors. JAMA Oncol. 2020;6(9):1488. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.2592
Dana-Faber Cancer Institute.When should I worry about a lump under the skin?
TreatCancer.com.Tumor vs cysts: Differences, diagnosis, and treatments.
Fox Chase Cancer Center.Cysts vs. Tumors: 7 things you need to know.
Dana Faber Cancer Institute.Cyst vs. tumor: What is the difference?
NHS.Skin cyst.
Faltaous AA, Leigh EC, Ray P, Wolbert TT.A rare transformation of epidermoid cyst into squamous cell carcinoma: a case report with literature review.Am J Case Rep. 2019;20:1141-1143. DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.912828
Ovarian Cancer Research Association.Science made simple: ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer.
American Cancer Society.Fibrocystic changes in the breast.
Houston Methodist.Breast cysts vs. breast cancer: How to decipher the difference.
American Cancer Society.Test for ovarian cancer.
American Family Physician.Minimal excision technique for removal of an epidermoid cyst.
Temple University.Tumor resection surgery.
Medline Plus.Ovarian cyst.
Canadian Cancer Society.Non-cancerous soft tissue tumours.
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