Can cervical cysts be cancerous?
Answer From Tatnai Burnett, M.D.
Cervical cysts aren't cancerous. The most common variety is a nabothian (nuh-BOW-thee-un) cyst, which forms when normal tissue on the outer part of the cervix grows over the glandular, mucus-producing tissue of the inner part of the cervix. When mucus, fluid or tissue becomes trapped, a cyst forms.
Nabothian cysts are so common that they're considered to be a normal feature of cervical anatomy. Your doctor might discover one incidentally during a pelvic exam. In general, cervical cysts don't cause symptoms and require no treatment.
Your doctor might collect a tissue sample (biopsy) to send for lab testing if a cervical cyst or other lesion looks unusual. Other concerns include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or pain during sex.
With
Tatnai Burnett, M.D.
Show References
- Lobo RA, et al. Benign gynecologic lesions. In: Comprehensive Gynecology. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 13, 2019.
- Rumack C, et al. The uterus. In: Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 29, 2019.
- AskMayoExpert. Cervical abnormalities. Mayo Clinic; 2019.
- Laufer MR, et al. Benign cervical lesions and congenital anomalies of the cervix. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 13, 2019.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/cervical-cysts/expert-answers/faq-20058495