Can cysts turn cancerous?

A tumor is any abnormal mass of tissue or swelling. Like a cyst, a tumor can form in any part of the body. A tumor can be benign or cancerous (malignant). Cysts that appear uniform after examination by ultrasound or a computerized tomography (CT) scan are almost always benign and should simply be observed. read more

Though most ovarian cysts are benign, some are cancerous. Learn about the symptoms, treatment options, and outlook for ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer. Though most ovarian cysts are benign, some are cancerous. read more

Ultrasound is the easiest way to see if a lump is a cyst or not. Your doctor may insert a needle into a lump to see if it's a cyst. In a simple cyst, the needle will drain off the fluid. A pathologist will check the fluid to make sure there are no cancer cells in it. read more

While rare, certain types of ovarian cysts may be cancerous. Ovarian cysts are very commonly found in women who have polycystic ovary syndrome and are, in fact, one of the defining characteristics of the disease. However, women who don’t have PCOS can also get ovarian cysts. read more