What illness causes a cyst on the neck, and is it serious?
Feb 24, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Shaolong
Introduction
Neck cysts may be caused by conditions such as thyroid cysts, sebaceous cysts, or cystic lymphangiomas. These conditions are all benign and generally not serious. Thyroid cysts usually do not present typical clinical symptoms; however, some patients may experience a neck mass, a sensation of breathing difficulty, mild neck distension or pain, and enlargement of the thyroid glands on both sides.
A neck cyst may be due to conditions such as thyroid cysts, sebaceous cysts, or cystic lymphangiomas. These are generally benign and usually not serious.
1. Thyroid Cyst
Thyroid cysts typically do not present typical clinical symptoms. Some patients may notice a lump in the neck, feel shortness of breath, experience mild neck pain, or have enlargement of the thyroid glands on both sides. Most cases are benign. Some cysts may resolve spontaneously within 3–6 months. If a small cyst results from intracystic hemorrhage and causes no significant symptoms or signs of malignancy, treatment may involve clinical observation.
2. Sebaceous Cyst
This is a benign, slowly growing tumor containing a cheese-like secretion. It can occur at any age but is more common among young people, frequently appearing on the head, neck, chest, and back. Regardless of size, sebaceous cysts can be treated surgically. Smaller cysts allow for easier surgery and faster wound healing.
3. Cystic Lymphangioma
The main symptom is a neck mass that appears after birth. The lesion commonly occurs in the supraclavicular fossa along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, most frequently in the posterior cervical triangle, and is more prevalent on the left side than the right. Treatment usually involves a combination of surgical removal and injection therapy to completely excise the tumor, along with symptomatic management. Commonly used clinical agents include OK-432 solution and Sapylin (Su-pai-lin) injection, which must be administered under medical supervision. If injections are ineffective or the condition recurs, surgical intervention is required. Patients with involvement of the trachea or mediastinum should undergo surgery promptly.
In addition, neck cysts may also result from salivary gland cysts. Patients are advised to visit a qualified traditional Chinese medicine hospital for syndrome differentiation and receive proper, standardized treatment under medical guidance.
