If you have such a cyst, it probably looks very scary and you are inclined to believe that maybe it has something to do with cancer. We are happy to tell you that a ganglion cyst is a harmless, liquid filled mass that develops around joints, such as wrists, elbows and knees. This type of cyst is associated with extreme use of hands, for example, and is a common appearance for people that write a lot because their hands are virtually in the same positions for a lot of time and very active for several hours each day. Even so, don’t worry about a thing because these cysts are not dangerous at all and besides being a bit uncomfortable and maybe even a bit bad looking, they are not painful either.
Details about the ganglion cyst
First of all, you are probably wondering what that ganglion cyst really is and what is inside it. Well, the simple answer here is that it is a lump that develops around joints, as we mentioned earlier, that is usually filled with a very thick and sticky fluid like substance, very similar to honey in consistency.
If you have such a cyst the first thing you need to do is remember when it first started to be noticeable because they tend to grow in size from the moment they first appear. This will help your doctor determine what sort of cyst it is and how best to remove it. Your doctor will certainly test the cyst and press firmly on it to see this causes any discomfort or maybe even pain. If it is a ganglion cyst it should not cause either of these feelings. Your doctor will probably test the cyst further and use a syringe to draw fluid from it.
How to remove the cyst
These are some of the ways that your cyst can be removed by:
- Surgery
- Aspiration
- Immobilization
The size of your cyst varies according to several different factors, such as the amount of use of your hand or the area where the cyst is located. Your doctor will recommend a device that immobilizes the area to stop the cyst from growing until it can reduce in size on its’ own. After it has shrunk down to a certain size your doctor will drain most of the fluid inside it and the rest should disappear on its’ own, but you will still need to be careful and protect the area.