Pilonidal cysts impact up to five percent of people, making them pretty common. They form in the sacrococcygeal area and bring symptoms like cellulitis, sinus tracts, and abscesses. Most often, these cysts are not dangerous. Still, in very rare cases, they may turn cancerous, affecting 0.1% of people.
The best way to handle pilonidal carcinoma is through surgery with wide margins. However, the outcome of this treatment is not usually good. Only about 55% of people survive for five years without the disease. Moreover, it tends to come back more than half the time. The use of chemoradiotherapy as an extra treatment is not reliably effective.
Key Takeaways:
- Pilonidal cysts are common and typically located in the sacrococcygeal area.
- They can lead to cellulitis, recurrent sinus tracts, and abscess formation.
- Malignant transformation is rare but possible.
- Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for pilonidal carcinoma.
- Prognosis for pilonidal carcinoma is poor, with a low survival rate and high recurrence rate.
Pilonidal Cyst Symptoms and Causes
Pilonidal cysts are common and can be painful. It’s key to know their symptoms and causes early on. This helps in getting the right treatment fast.
Symptoms of Pilonidal Cysts
A pilonidal cyst often looks like a small hole or pit in the skin. It’s usually in the buttocks’ fold. This cyst may have hair inside and can get infected. This leads to an abscess. Key symptoms include:
- Pain
- Swelling and redness
- Pus or discharge
- A bad smell
If you notice these signs, see a doctor right away.
Causes of Pilonidal Cysts
We’re not sure what causes these cysts. One idea is that hair in the natal cleft leads to a bad reaction. This causes ongoing inflammation and cysts to form. Certain things raise the risk of getting these cysts. These include:
- Being obese
- Having a sedentary lifestyle
- A family history of pilonidal cysts
- Having a lot of body hair
- Getting skin trauma or irritation in the buttocks’ fold
Knowing about pilonidal cysts can help you prevent them. Avoid sitting for a long time. Wear clothes that are not too tight. Keeping clean is also very important. If you have any symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible. Doing this can help you avoid serious problems.
Diagnosing and Treating Pilonidal Cysts
Doctors mostly diagnose pilonidal cysts by talking with the patient and checking them physically. This helps them find out if someone has this condition.
To treat pilonidal cysts, doctors often have to drain them and take out the bad tissue. This is done through surgery. Using surgery to remove the cyst correctly is very important. Doctors use special ways to fix the skin area after removing the cyst, like Bascom Cleft Lift and other methods.
There are also things you can do at home to help or avoid pilonidal cysts. Keep the area clean and dry. Try not to sit for too long or put a lot of pressure on the area. It’s also important to stay at a healthy weight. In some cases, the doctor might give you antibiotics to stop an infection. Another way to treat pilonidal cysts is with stem cell therapy. But, we still need more studies to know if it really works well.
FAQ
Q: What are the symptoms of a pilonidal cyst?
A: A pilonidal cyst starts as a tiny hole, tunnel, or pit in the skin. This is usually in the cleft between the buttocks. The spot can get red, swollen, and very painful. Sometimes, it leaks liquid or pus.
Q: What causes pilonidal cysts?
A: The main reason for pilonidal cysts is not clear. But, doctors think loose hair plays a role. It causes the body to react like something foreign is there, leading to swelling over time. Being overweight, not moving much, having a family history of these cysts, being very hairy, or dealing with injuries in the buttocks area can raise your risk.
Q: How are pilonidal cysts diagnosed?
A: To check for a pilonidal cyst, the doctor asks about your health and looks at the area. Often, a visit to a family doctor is enough to spot it.
Q: What is the treatment for pilonidal cysts?
A: The best way to treat these cysts usually involves cutting them out and draining any build-up. Doctors must remove them completely to help heal well. They might also fix the wound with treatments to repair the skin. People can also try at-home care and certain habits to keep the cysts from coming back or to ease the pain.
Q: Are there any preventive measures or home remedies for pilonidal cysts?
A: To keep pilonidal cysts away, it’s important to keep the area clean, avoid sitting for too long, and stay fit. Doing this can lower your chances of getting a cyst. There are also simple remedies like warm compresses and pain pills you can buy without a prescription. These can make the symptoms better before your doctor visit.
Q: Can antibiotics be used to treat pilonidal cysts?
A: Sometimes, your doctor will give you antibiotics to stop or treat an infection in the cyst. But, these drugs are not the only solution. They should be part of a bigger plan that might include surgery or draining the cyst.
Q: What is the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in treating pilonidal cysts?
A: Stem cell therapy is a new way to treat pilonidal cysts. It might work, but researchers need to study it more to be sure it helps people with this issue.