Ganglion Cyst

A ganglion cyst is a small, fluid-filled lump that forms just below your skin. It can develop after an injury to a tendon or joint. This causes some of the tissue to bulge out, fill with fluid, and form a small sac. Another name for a ganglion cyst is a bible cyst. The plural form is ganglia.

Ganglia are most common near certain joints, including your:

• Wrists: On both the front and back
• Fingers: Around the finger joints, especially right at your palm and close to your fingernails
• Feet: Close to your ankle or near your toes

A ganglion cyst is usually harmless. Moving the joint near it may increase swelling and make it feel uncomfortable. But ganglia aren’t tumors and are never a sign of cancer.

Some ganglion cysts are so small that you may not see a lump under your skin, but they still cause pain or discomfort. These are known as occult ganglia.

Bible cysts are some of the most common benign (noncancerous) masses that develop in your body’s soft tissues. Visit a healthcare provider if you feel any pain or notice new symptoms that make you worried. Even if it doesn’t hurt, a provider can treat or remove a cyst if you don’t like the way it looks or makes you feel.

Ganglion cyst symptoms

The bump just below your skin is usually the biggest sign you have a ganglion cyst. They can vary in size and shape.

Bible cysts are usually firm to the touch. But some people say they feel soft. Either way, the lump will usually move around under your skin. The cyst may get bigger over time, especially if it’s near a joint you move a lot.

You may not have any other symptoms. But if you do, you might notice some pain, especially when you move the joint closest to the cyst. You may also have a tingling feeling or some numbness around the growth. This is a symptom called mass effect. It happens when the growth puts pressure on tissue around it or causes inflammation near it.

Some ganglia can make it hard or painful to move the joint they’re near. They can also make some people feel self-conscious about their appearance.

Ganglion cyst causes

Experts aren’t always sure what causes ganglion cysts. The most common theory is they happen when an injury damages a joint or tendon. That can break the sheaths or protective lining around these tissues. That opening can let some tissue or fluid leak out of the opening.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop a ganglion cyst. But you may be more likely to if you’re:

• Female
• Between the ages of 20 and 50
• Have a history of joint injuries or conditions like tendinitis
• Have arthritis
• Play a sport or do work that puts lots of repeated stress on your joints

How doctors diagnose ganglia

A healthcare provider can usually diagnose a ganglion cyst with a physical exam. Your provider should be able to see and feel the lump under your skin. That’s typically all they’ll need to diagnose a ganglion cyst, especially if the growth is near a joint that’s a common spot for them to form.

Your provider might gently press on the bump. Tell them if it hurts or makes you feel uncomfortable. They might also shine a light on it to see if it’s solid or partly see-through (translucent).

Your provider might suggest imaging tests, like X-rays or an ultrasound, to take pictures of your joint. They may use a biopsy to take a sample of the fluid, but this isn’t always needed. This can help them rule out other, more serious causes of growths if need be.

Ganglion cyst treatment

You might not need any treatment if a ganglion cyst doesn’t bother you and it isn’t causing symptoms. Some cysts eventually go away on their own.

If you need treatment, your provider will suggest a combination of:

• Anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling and relieve pain
• Wearing a splint or brace to support your affected joint so you don’t move it as much
• Using aspiration to remove fluid and deflate the cyst

Your provider will usually only suggest surgery if other treatments don’t work or the cyst keeps coming back. Surgery to remove a bible cyst is called ganglion cyst excision. A surgeon will remove the cyst and repair any damage inside your joint.

What can I expect if I have a ganglion cyst?

Ganglion cysts aren’t dangerous. They’re benign masses, which means they won’t spread. And they’re never a sign or symptom of cancer.

But you should visit a healthcare provider whenever you notice a new growth or lump on your body, especially if it hurts or causes other symptoms. Ganglion cysts are almost always harmless, but it’s important to get any growth checked out by a provider. That’s extra true if it develops or changes quickly.