Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.
In this Article
- Cyst facts
- What is a cyst?
- What causes a cyst?
- What are the different types of cysts?
- What are risk factors for a cyst?
- What are cyst symptoms and signs?
- How do physicians diagnose a cyst?
- What is the treatment for a cyst?
- What is the prognosis of a cyst?
- Is it possible to prevent a cyst?
What is the prognosis of a cyst?
The prognosis of a cyst depends upon its underlying cause and sometimes on its size. The majority of cysts are small and benign; they require no treatment and have a good prognosis. However, cysts that are associated with infective agents or contain malignant cells or are so large they interfere with normal body functions have a more guarded prognosis. Some benign but large cysts may have a fair to good prognosis but may require surgery or aspiration to reduce or eliminate symptoms.
Is it possible to prevent a cyst?
Most cysts are not preventable; however, if an underlying cause of a cyst is prevented, then the resultant cyst may also be prevented (for example, cysts due to infectious agents).
Australia. Better Health Channel. "Cysts." Oct. 2011. <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Cysts_explained>.
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