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Cancerous Vs. Non-cancerous Lumps Symptoms: Doctor Explains Why Most Are Harmless, When To Seek Medical Advice
Have you, or someone you know, ever found a lump on the body and felt a surge of panic? It's a natural reaction because many a time the immediate fear is cancer. But before jumping to conclusions, it's important to understand that not all lumps are dangerous.
Finding a lump anywhere on your body can be alarming, and for many, the immediate fear is cancer. However, it's important to understand that not all lumps are dangerous, says Dr Rohan Khandelwal, Lead Consultant & Head of the Breast Centre, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.
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"Not every lump you find on your body is cancerous, and it's essential to approach such findings with awareness rather than fear. Benign lumps are incredibly common, and with proper evaluation, most can be managed conservatively without surgery or aggressive treatment."
Also readChildhood cancer: Early symptoms of cancer, plus risk factors you need to know
Signs a lump is not cancerous
Lumps can develop for a variety of reasons, and most are not life-threatening. Dr Khandelwal shares a list of common benign lump types:
Cancerous vs non-cancerous lumps symptoms
Though most lumps aren't cancerous, there are certain signs that indicate when a clinical evaluation is necessary. According to Dr Khandelwal, understanding the characteristics of a lump can help distinguish between benign and cancerous growths, and reduce unnecessary panic. "Benign lumps are typically smooth, soft, and movable under the skin, whereas cancerous lumps often feel hard and fixed," he explains.
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How fast do cancerous lumps grow?
Another important factor is the lump's growth rate, he says. "While a rapidly growing lump may seem alarming, many fast-growing lumps turn out to be non-cancerous. Pain is another differentiator; painful lumps are usually linked to infections or inflammation, whereas cancerous lumps are often painless in their early stages," he adds.
However, he suggests that changes in the skin over a lump, such as discolouration, dimpling, or ulceration, should never be ignored and warrant prompt medical evaluation. "Paying attention to these signs and seeking timely medical advice is key to ensuring both peace of mind and good health," informs Dr Khandelwal.
"If a lump persists beyond a few weeks, changes in size, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like weight loss, fever, or chronic fatigue, it's time to see a doctor," advises Dr Khandelwal, adding, "While most lumps are benign, ignoring the ones that aren't could delay a necessary diagnosis."
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don't treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
Namita S Kalla is a senior journalist who writes about different aspects of modern life that include lifestyle, health, fashion, beauty, and entertainment.
What To Know About Complex Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts can be simple or complex. Complex ovarian cysts are those that contain either blood or a solid substance. They are more likely to require treatment.
Simple cysts are relatively common and usually clear on their own. Complex cysts are more likely to need treatment. Most ovarian cysts are benign, meaning that they are noncancerous.
In this article, we look closely at complex ovarian cysts, including their causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Ovarian cysts are small sacs that form in or on an ovary. Ovarian cysts can be simple or complex, depending on the substances inside them.
Complex cysts are less common than simple cysts. Either blood or a hard substance fills complex cysts. Unlike simple cysts, complex cysts are not related to the typical menstrual cycle.
The different types of complex ovarian cysts include:
Simple cysts
Simple cysts are filled with fluid. Monthly ovulation will often include the formation of cysts, and they are not usually a cause for concern. When they don't cause any problems, they are called functional cysts.
A person with complex ovarian cysts may not experience any symptoms. People may only discover them during medical exams for other conditions or symptoms.
If complex ovarian cysts do cause symptoms, people may notice the following:
If a person has endometriomas, they may have additional symptoms that include:
People should see their doctor if they experience severe pain in the abdomen, a fever, and vomiting.
The most common risk factors for ovarian cysts include:
In many cases, a cyst will clear on its own without treatment. However, if a doctor suspects that someone has an ovarian cyst, they will typically conduct a pelvic examination.
A doctor may perform an ultrasound scan to identify the type and location of any cysts. They may take blood samples to look for proteins that might indicate if a person has cancer.
Most complications from complex ovarian cysts are minor, but some may be more severe. Complications of complex ovarian cysts may include the following:
If a cyst ruptures or hemorrhages, a person may experience severe symptoms, including:
Complex cysts are more likely to need treatment than simple cysts.
According to the OWH, between 5% and 10% of women with ovarian cysts will have surgery. Of that number, between 13% and 21% are cancerous.
A doctor may recommend surgery when a cyst becomes too large, interferes with the ovary or other organs, or is painful.
A surgeon will often use laparoscopy to remove an ovarian cyst. Here, the medical team places the individual under general anesthesia, and the surgeon performs keyhole surgery, using small entry points, to remove the cyst.
Here are some frequently asked questions about ovarian cysts.
Who is prone to ovarian cysts?
Most people who have periods develop at least one follicle or corpus luteum cyst each month. They are less common after menopause.
What is the main cause of ovarian cysts?
In some cases, the exact cause of ovarian cysts is unclear.
They commonly occur in people who have regular periods. Endometriosis, which is when the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, can cause cysts, as can polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Cancerous ovarian cysts are rare.
Do cysts run in the family?
Some conditions that can cause ovarian cysts can run in families. For example, endometriosis is a potentially hereditary condition that can cause a type of benign ovarian cyst called an endometrioma.
What age is at risk for ovarian cysts?
Ovarian cysts are more common once a person begins ovulating and before menopause. Ovarian cysts that occur postmenopause are at higher risk of ovarian cancer. A person should contact a doctor at any point that they believe they have an ovarian cyst.
Most complex ovarian cysts are benign and may not cause symptoms. However, if the cyst grows too large, a person may experience pain or discomfort.
An enlarged cyst may push against the bladder, cause abdominal pain, or interfere with fertility. If a person requires surgery, full recovery is typical.
If someone suspects an ovarian cyst, they should speak with their doctor to find the best course of action.
What Are The Symptoms Of Ovarian Cysts?
There are many different types of cysts that can develop on the ovary,
but most tend to cause the same type of symptoms, including:
• lower abdominal pain or pressure due to the weight of the cyst
pressing on other organs.
• increased frequency of emptying your bladder, due to the cyst pressing
on it.
• pain if the cyst twists on itself. This may be intermittent if it.
untwists spontaneously, or only twists slowly
• pain if there is bleeding into the cyst when a blood vessel ruptures
spontaneously.
• worsening pain followed by improvement of symptoms if the cyst
ruptures spontaneously.
It has to be said that most cysts do not cause any symptoms at all,
because they are only slightly larger than the natural ones, which
develop each month with ovulation (follicular cysts).
Once an egg has
been released, sometimes the eggshell left behind doesn't shrivel up as
usually happens and a corpus luteum cyst can develop. Both of these
types usually resolve without treatment.
Other cysts include:
• Dermoid cysts - growing from ovary tissue itself.
Endometriosis cysts.
Other benign (non-cancerous) tumours.
Cancerous cysts.
The cysts associated with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are a
particular type which do not grow larger than a few millimetres in size,
never cause pressure or pain symptoms and, themselves, need no specific
treatment.
They are a sign that the ovary has been developing follicles,
but they haven't been released (an ovulation problem). There are
treatments available for the other symptoms of PCOS.
Cysts can be detected by your doctor on examination or on ultrasound
scan. Most small cysts do not require any treatment, as they generally
resolve spontaneously and another scan in a few months' time is all that
is needed.
Other larger or more complicated ones may require surgery if
they do not shrink spontaneously or if there is the possibility of
cancer. Cancerous cysts are rare in young women.
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