What is the difference between a cyst and a tumor? page all

KOMPAS.com – when there is bump that appears on a certain area of ​​the body suddenly, the first thing that comes to most people’s mind is probably tumor or cancer.

However, lumps on the body do not necessarily indicate the presence of tumors and cancer but can indicate the presence of cyst. To be known, cyst is lumps that are filled with fluid, and are generally harmless, while tumors tend to be solid.

Not infrequently, even people find it difficult to distinguish the two conditions that affect health the.

However, before discussing the differences between cysts and tumors, let’s first know the two diseases.

Also read: 7 Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts that are Important to Know

What are cysts and tumors?

As reported by Cleveland ClinicFriday (11/3/2022) A cyst is a lump that contains a runny or thick fluid. Cyst itself is divided into several types, and most are round and smooth.

A cyst is caused by something blocking a gland or drainage system in the body. Then, the fluid in the gland can not flow, resulting in a buildup.

When this happens, the body will recognize the blockage and form a wall of scar tissue (sac) around the fluid. Then, the scar tissue retains fluid and forms a cyst.

Cysts can grow on the ovaries, kidneys, liver, wrists or knees, and on the skin. On the other hand, cysts can also appear without a clear cause.

“Many women develop cysts in their breasts, because their hormones are constantly changing during their menstrual cycle,” says breast imaging specialist, Dr Laura Shepardson.

Therefore, if you feel a lump, for example in the breast, immediately do a health check through a mammogram and ultrasound.

“Cysts in the breast are harmless. Cysts do not turn into cancer, and do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer. We usually leave the cyst, unless it causes symptoms like pain or enlarges, in which case we can use a needle to drain the fluid,” Shepardson said.

While the tumor, is a condition caused when the body’s cells grow and divide at a certain speed. as a result some cells die, while new ones are formed.

“Tumor is a mass or clump of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide too quickly. Many tumors are benign, which means they are not cancerous, and the tumors will not spread,” explains plastic surgeon Raymond Isakov.

Also read: After 20 years, the world’s largest brain tumor has been removed

Some of the most common types of benign tumors experienced by patients are lipomas, which are fatty tumors that are very common, and are present in at least one in every 1,000 people. Lipomas can grow on the back, chest, shoulders, neck, or arms.

“We may need to do a biopsy to make sure it’s a lipoma and not some other type of growth,” Isakov said.

He adds that lipomas run in families, meaning that if your parents had lipomas, you’re more likely to have them too.

Next is a fibroadenoma tumor, which is a type of benign breast tumor and is usually characterized by a lump in that part of the body.

Also read: Herbal Medicine for Overcoming Lipoma

How to tell the difference between a cyst and a tumor?

To find out whether the lump that appears is a cyst or tumor, you must go through a diagnosis by a doctor.

Because the examination of the disease requires several tests to confirm it.

However, you can suspect a lump on the body that appears as a cyst if:

• Pain or tenderness to the touch
• Have pores, dots or blackheads in the middle
• Yellow or green fluid leaks
• look red
• Moves under the skin when pressed

Meanwhile, to suspect the appearance of a lump due to tumor is with:

• Feels firm to the touch, almost like pebbles or stones
• Appears suddenly or develops rapidly
• Does not move when pressed

You also need to pay attention to some signs that may arise when there is a lump on the body, including:

• Bump growing rapidly or seems to be deforming
• The lump is located in the armpit, groin or neck. This is because a lump in this area can indicate an infection or tumor in the lymph nodes
• The bumps are red or feel hot to the touch, which could indicate an infection

On the other hand, one of the tests to diagnose whether a patient has a cyst or tumor is to use imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and mammogram.

If the test results indicate the presence of a cyst, your doctor may provide treatment options according to your condition, including draining it with a medical procedure.

However, in most cases the cyst does not need to be drained, unless it is detrimental to health. Cysts can also be removed by surgical removal, if they are enlarged and there is a risk of infection.

Also read: Definition, Causes, and Symptoms of Epidermoid Cysts

Get updates news of choice and breaking news every day from Kompas.com. Let’s join the Telegram group “Kompas.com News Update”, how to click the link https://t.me/kompascomupdate, then join. You must first install the Telegram application on your cellphone.–