A cyst and tumor actually have more similarities than differences, which is probably why many people become confused, and sometimes unnecessarily worried, about the implications of having either one. Both can form anywhere in the body, and they can be either benign or cancerous. These two structures have physical differences, however, and a tumor is more likely than a cyst to be cancerous.
Both of these growths are abnormal formations that can appear on nearly any part of the body. This includes the fleshy parts like skin, organs, and other tissues, as well as the hard parts like bones. Generally, though, a cyst is a sac filled with fluid, whereas a tumor is a tissue mass.
For many, “cancer” is the first word that comes to mind when they are told they have a tumor or a cyst. People often think that any mass must be cancerous, but this is not the case.
A cyst is almost always benign, which means it is not cancerous. Tumors, on the other hand, do turn out to be malignant or cancerous more often than cysts do. This does not mean all cysts are benign and all tumors are cancerous. Cysts are capable of turning cancerous or of indicating the presence of cancer, and tumors can be benign. Generally, a medical professional must perform a biopsy to determine whether a tumor or cyst is benign or cancerous.
Overall, there are no differences between a cyst and tumor when it comes to locating one or the other. Sometimes, they are easy to find, and other times, it is impossible without the help of a medical professional. For example, women who regularly perform self-exams on their breasts are familiar with how their breasts normally feel and can pinpoint abnormal lumps that could turn out to be cysts or tumors. On the other hand, self-exams do not work to locate every kind of growth, and one could quietly form on a woman’s uterus or a man’s lung without their knowledge. Therefore, everyone should have regular medical checkups and talk to a medical professional whenever an abnormal lump or bulge or unexplainable pain develops.
