How to Treat Dermoid Cysts

A dermoid cyst is a tumor composed of poorly differentiated ectodermal structures. They usually appear as a solitary hamartomatous tumor with a thick dermis-like wall composed of connective tissue. Dermoid cysts may include skin appendages, in addition to bone and cartilage-like structures, nails and teeth. They occur mostly on the face, neck or scalp and are usually present at birth. The following steps will show how to treat a dermoid cyst.

Instructions

• 1

  Excise dermoid cysts surgically. This is the treatment of choice regardless of the location.

• 2

  Examine the cyst for fatty content that has spread to surrounding tissues or structures and bacterial infection. These factors can cause severe complications and autoimmune responses and should elicit particular care from the surgeon. Dermoid cysts of the spinal cord can disseminate fat to the cerebrospinal fluid or spinal canal when they rupture.

• 3

  Use minimally invasive techniques to preserve functioning. This has been especially successful with dermoid cysts in difficult locations such as the floor of the mouth or tongue where cysts can cause lingual and speech problems.

• 4

  Implement sophisticated gynecologic or neurosurgical techniques to remove lesions in the ovary or brain to prevent possible complications. Dermoid cysts in these areas can be difficult to treat.

• 5

  Consider excision with an endoscope in patients with dermoid cysts of the brow and forehead. Patients receiving this treatment have not reported complications such as paralysis or numbness of the affected area. Surgery with an endoscope also has the advantage of an absence of visible scars.