Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
A lung cyst, also known as apulmonary cyst, is an air- or fluid-filled pocket or sac embedded within normal lung tissue.They are often identified viacomputed tomography(CT) scans.
Although it’s not always known why lung cysts develop, different underlying conditions usually cause them to form. Certain lung cysts are treatable with medications, while others might require significant medical intervention, such as a lung transplant.
This article explains what lung cysts are, their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Types of Lung Disease
Causes of Lung Cysts
Five primary lung diseases can cause lung cysts. These include:
Causes of Underlying Conditions
Causes of lung cysts depend on your underlying condition, which can include:
PLCH: Cigarette smoke has been linked to PLCH as it activates Langerhans cells in the lungs.
BHD: BHD is inherited due to an autosomal dominant genetic defect. This means that one parent has a normal and mutated copy of a gene and has a 50% chance of passing it down to their child.
LIP/FB: LIP is often diagnosed in conjunction with other diseases, such asSjögren’s disease,rheumatoidarthritis,systemic lupus erythematous, orhuman immunodeficiency virus(HIV). These can all negatively affect the lung’s lymphatic system, potentially resulting in LIP or FB. It is rare for LIP to occur from an unknown cause.
Amyloidosis:Amyloidosis is commonly associated with Sjögren’s disease, LIP, or mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT) lymphoma. It is extremely rare for amyloidosis to be diagnosed without one of the associated disorders.
Symptoms vary depending on what type of lung cyst you have. Some may be asymptomatic, while others have progressive difficulty breathing. Symptoms may include the following:
Obstructive vs. Restrictive Lung Diseases: Causes and Treatment
Treatment options vary depending on the cause of the lung cysts and can include:
Lung Transplant Survival Rate and Life Expectancy
Summary
Lung or pulmonary cysts are the result of various disorders. The most common symptom is difficulty breathing; other symptoms depend on the underlying condition causing cysts. It is important to have a healthcare provider perform a comprehensive history and physical assessment and determine if a computed tomography (CT) scan or other diagnostic tests are needed for diagnosis.
Most treatment options focus on maintaining lung function and managing symptoms. Many causes of lung cysts do not have a defined cure and often progress and worsen over time. It’s essential that your healthcare provider continually monitors your symptoms to ensure optimal lung health.
A Word From Verywell
Learning that you have a lung cyst can be difficult and worrisome, especially when it causes difficulty breathing. Speak to your healthcare provider to determine any underlying cause of breathing difficulties or lung cysts and to ensure prompt treatment.
3 SourcesVerywell 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.Park S, Lee EJ.Diagnosis and treatment of cystic lung disease.Korean J Intern Med. 2017;32(2):229-238. doi:10.3904/kjim.2016.242Raoof S, Bondalapati P, Vydyula R, et al.Cystic lung diseases.Chest. 2016;150(4):945-965. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2016.04.026National Library of Medicine.Spontaneous pneumothorax.
3 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.Park S, Lee EJ.Diagnosis and treatment of cystic lung disease.Korean J Intern Med. 2017;32(2):229-238. doi:10.3904/kjim.2016.242Raoof S, Bondalapati P, Vydyula R, et al.Cystic lung diseases.Chest. 2016;150(4):945-965. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2016.04.026National Library of Medicine.Spontaneous pneumothorax.
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.
Park S, Lee EJ.Diagnosis and treatment of cystic lung disease.Korean J Intern Med. 2017;32(2):229-238. doi:10.3904/kjim.2016.242Raoof S, Bondalapati P, Vydyula R, et al.Cystic lung diseases.Chest. 2016;150(4):945-965. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2016.04.026National Library of Medicine.Spontaneous pneumothorax.
Park S, Lee EJ.Diagnosis and treatment of cystic lung disease.Korean J Intern Med. 2017;32(2):229-238. doi:10.3904/kjim.2016.242
Raoof S, Bondalapati P, Vydyula R, et al.Cystic lung diseases.Chest. 2016;150(4):945-965. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2016.04.026
National Library of Medicine.Spontaneous pneumothorax.
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