Are they serious?
No. They are benign. This means that they do not spread. Sometimes they are mildly painful, particularly if they lie next to a nerve. They can very gradually enlarge to the size of about 1-2 cms. This can make them unsightly which is why most people want them removed. Occasionally, they go away on their own without any treatment.
What is the treatment?
If a ganglion does not cause symptoms it is best just to leave it alone. However, many people prefer to be rid of them.
Many people have heard of the traditional cure. That is, to smash them with a heavy book (tradition holds it to be the family bible). This bursts the cyst under the skin. The fluid is then absorbed into the bloodstream. In some people this works well, but there is a high chance of it recurring as the walls of the cyst can reform. However, it is an instant cure for some.
Sometimes it is possible to suck out the fluid with a needle and syringe. If the jelly-like fluid is very thick this may not work. Also, if it does work, there is a chance that the cyst will recur as the wall of the cyst is not removed, and the fluid may form again to refill the ganglion. However, in some people it cures the problem. As it is quite easy for a doctor to do, it is often attempted first.
Surgical removal of the ganglion is the most successful and permanent cure. This is a relatively minor operation. Rarely, after a ganglion is removed, one recurs again at the same site. However, after having it surgically removed a recurrence is much less likely to occur than after the other treatments mentioned above.
© EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: October 2006
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lou, about 1 year
i have had a ganglion on my wrist at the base of my thumb joint for many years i did once try to have it surgically removed but it grew back with a vengance. it has over the last week or so spread further down my wrist and is very painful i cannot put pressure on my wrist it is swelling also around the main lump is this just the ganglion or something secondary going on... there is arthritis in family and i have it in my neck could it be this??
Report this commentYvonne, about 1 year
My docotr tells me this is what I have although its nothing like the picture on this page, mine is below the skin, at the base of my 3rd finger on right hand, it feels like a hard pea under the skin, the ligaments and nerves in the hand are painful right through to my wrist. Does this sound like the same thing to you?
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jennifer williams, about 1 year
Hi Yvonne yes that one I had one in my hand under my finger that was just like a hard pea and when it started to casue pain and get bigger ( I could no longer wear my rings and it hurt when I was changing gear in teh car) I was going to have an op to have it removed but as the nervous and ligaments could have been damaged, and the fact I would hve need a genreal to op on it. I put in place to do some baching of it, so I lifted and let drop on my hard pea pices of wood, which hurt, but the hard pea went and has not returned (2 years) Much beeter than an op.
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