Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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Ganglion cyst

A ganglion cyst is a benign swelling filled with jelly-like fluid near a joint or tendon sheath. It often occurs on the hand or wrist and may grow or shrink. Many ganglion cysts disappear on their own. Have a new or changing lump assessed if the diagnosis is uncertain, especially with pain, redness, rapid growth, tingling or loss of strength.

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  • A ganglion is a benign cyst near a joint or tendon sheath. Its contents resemble thick joint fluid, and the swelling is often connected to deeper tissue by a narrow stalk.
  • Ganglion cysts mainly occur on the back or palm side of the wrist, on fingers and near the foot or ankle. They may enlarge with activity and shrink with rest, but the pattern is not the same for everyone.
  • Many ganglion cysts are painless and disappear without treatment. A lump that looks different, is hard and fixed, grows quickly or causes general symptoms of illness should not automatically be called a ganglion cyst.
  • Treatment is mainly needed for pain, clear limitations, pressure on a nerve or uncertainty about the diagnosis. Draining the fluid and surgery may help, but a ganglion cyst can return.
  • Never hit or puncture the lump yourself. For urgent GP care outside office hours, call the out-of-hours GP service (HAP) on 9252; Ambulance 912 is only for immediate danger to life.

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