Can cervical cysts be cancerous?

Answer From Tatnai Burnett, M.D.

Cervical cysts aren't cancer. They're sacs that grow in the canal that connects the uterus and vagina, called the cervix. The most common type of cervical cyst is a nabothian cyst. This cyst forms when regular tissue on the outer part of the cervix grows over the mucus-making tissue of the inner part of the cervix. When mucus, fluid or tissue becomes trapped, a cyst forms.

Nabothian cysts are so common that healthcare professionals think of them as a typical feature of the cervix in adults. Your healthcare professional may find one by chance during a pelvic exam or a pelvic ultrasound. In general, cervical cysts don't cause symptoms and don't need treatment.

Your healthcare professional may collect a tissue sample called a biopsy for lab testing if a cervical cyst looks concerning. A cyst biopsy also may be done if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or pain during sex.

With

Tatnai Burnett, M.D.

Women’s health topics - straight to your inbox

Get the latest information from our Mayo Clinic experts on women’s health topics, serious and complex conditions, wellness and more. Click to view a preview and subscribe below.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

Jan. 24, 2025 See more Expert Answers