Differences Between Cysts and Tumours: A Comprehensive Guide

Tumours and cysts are two types of lumps, and they are different from each other. Knowing the differences between cysts and tumours is essential to lower panic and become more cautious to avoid medical emergencies later.

However, before moving ahead with the differences between these two, it is vital to know what they denote.

When an abnormal swelling or a mass of tissue appears in your body, it is diagnosed as a tumour. It may be cancerous (malignant) or benign and can develop in any part of your body.

A cyst is a sac filled with fluid, air and other materials that can develop in any part of your body. Most cysts are benign or non-cancerous. However, cancer may cause a cyst in some cases.

Cells in your body develop and divide to form new cells when your body requires them. New cells replace old damaged cells. When this process is hampered, tumours start to develop. Old and damaged cells retain in the body while the new cells develop when your body doesn't require them. These additional cells continue to divide themselves, resulting in the formation of tumours.

Tumours can be benign or malignant. In the case of the former, these tumours are non-cancerous and do not spread to surrounding tissues. In the latter case, tumours are cancerous and can spread to other parts of your body.

Report to the doctor immediately if you notice any of the following warning signs of cyst and tumour:

• Bleeding from the area where tumour or cyst has developed
• The affected area feels soft when touched, or there is pain over that area
• The affected area changes colour
• Rapid growth of the lump
• Itching
• Rupture
• Swollen and red appearance
• Restricted movement of the lump

A healthcare professional may ask you about your medical history and examine the symptoms. He or she will check the cyst or tumour's location, change in colour, drainage of fluid, if any, and how it appears and feels. A medical practitioner may also use diagnostic imaging to identify a cyst or tumour. These imagings include the following:

• CT scan
• Ultrasound
• MRI scan
• Mammograms 

A doctor also confirms whether a cyst or tumour is cancerous by biopsy. This involves surgical removal of the entire lump or its part. He or she will then check the lump under a microscope for any cancerous cells.

If the lump has a liquid substance, a doctor uses fine needle aspirations. He or she will insert this thin and long needle to take out a sample of that fluid.

Treatments of cysts and tumours depend on the following factors:

• Location of the cyst or tumour
• Causes behind the development of a cyst or tumour
• Whether it is non-cancerous or cancerous

Most cysts do not need treatment. However, if you feel pain over the affected area or wish to remove the cyst, doctors may remove it via surgery, depending on the location. Alternatively, they can drain the liquid substance. Draining the fluid may leave a chance of regrowth and demands surgical removal of the cyst.

Similarly, a benign tumour also does not need treatment. However, it remains under medical observation to ensure it does not cause severe health issues. If it is causing health problems, doctors opt for surgery to remove it as part of tumour treatment.

In case of cancerous or malignant tumours, treatments include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. In selected cases, doctors use a combination of these treatments to treat a patient.

The growth of a tumour or a cyst in any part of your body may raise a concern. Thus, knowing the differences between cysts and tumours is crucial to understanding symptoms. However, it is ideal to schedule an appointment with a doctor as he or she can recommend the best course of action or treatment, if necessary.