Many people get scared if a tumor is suddenly discovered in their body. For some reason, most patients associate these formations only with cancer, which inevitably leads to death. However, in reality, everything is not so sad. Among the numerous types of tumors, there are quite harmless ones that do not have a significant effect on life expectancy. Such "good" tumors include a cystic solid formation. What it is is not known to every person who is not connected with medicine. For some people, the word "solid" is associated with the concept of "large, voluminous," which causes even greater alarm and concern for their lives. In this article, we will easily and clearly explain what the above pathology means, how and why it appears, what are the symptoms and a lot of other useful information.
How dangerous is cystic solid formation?
To begin with, we note that all the diverse types of tumors currently known can be divided into two categories:
- Benign (not forming metastases and, therefore, not cancerous).
- Malignant (forming single or multiple metastases, which almost always spread throughout the body, which is one of the main causes of death of the patient).
In about 90% of cases, we can say about a cystic solid formation that this tumor is benign, that is, safe for life. Of course, this prognosis comes true only if the patient does not refuse the treatment offered by the doctor and scrupulously fulfills all the recommendations. Only a small percentage of such pathologies is malignant. In this case, we are not talking about the degeneration of a benign tumor into a malignant one. In those few patients who were “lucky” to fall into those fatal 10%, the pathology was initially diagnosed as malignant.
Cystic solid formation - what is it
Both “good” and “bad” tumors are classified according to their morphological characteristics. Among the neoplasms, there are:
- Cystic. The safest are usually easily treatable. They are different in form, they tend to grow, decrease and completely disappear for various reasons. They are a cavity filled with a viscous substance.
- Solid. The most dangerous, in disrepair, are incurable. They are characterized by a hard shell, which entails the invariability of shapes and sizes, that is, they do not increase, do not decrease and do not disappear. Inside, solid tumors are filled with tissue fragments.
- Cystic-solid. They are a cross between the first and second type of tumors. They can appear in any organ, which determines the nature of the substrate in their cavity. In most cases, they contain both parts of the tissue and fluid.
Neoplasms in the brain
The most worrisome in patients is brain tumors. A cystic solid formation (even benign) always squeezes adjacent parts of the brain, which causes unbearable headaches in the patient. The reason for such a heavy sensation lies in the fact that the brain is enclosed in a hard shell (skull), so any tumor simply has nowhere to go. A neoplasm in soft tissues has the ability to protrude outward or occupy body cavities. Compression forces a brain tumor to press on neighboring cells, preventing blood from accessing them. In addition to pain, this is fraught with a disruption in the functioning of all body systems (digestive, motor, sexual, and so on).
Causes of occurrence
Science is not yet fully known for all the reasons that cause the appearance of tumors, both malignant and benign. In the case of the occurrence of cystic solid formations of the brain, the following reasons are distinguished:
- Irradiation.
- Long exposure to the sun.
- Stress.
- Infections (especially oncovirus).
- Genetic predisposition. Note that the hereditary factor can be called the cause of the tumor in any organ, not only in the brain, but experts do not consider it a priority.
- The influence of carcinogenic factors (work with reagents, living in ecologically unfavorable areas). For this reason, tumors of a different nature most often occur in people who, because of their profession, work with pesticides, formaldehydes, and other chemicals.
Symptomatology
This pathology can manifest itself in different ways, which depends on its localization. So, for the cystic-solid formation of the medulla oblongata (recall, this section is located in the occipital part of the head and is an extension of the spinal cord), the following manifestations are characteristic:
- Dizziness.
- Deafness (usually develops in one ear).
- Difficulty swallowing, breathing.
- Sensory impairment in the trigeminal nerve.
- Impaired motor activity.
Tumors in the medulla oblongata are the most dangerous, since they are practically untreatable. Injury to the medulla oblongata occurs.
In general, cystic-solid formations in various parts of the brain are characterized by such signs:
- Headaches, up to vomiting.
- Dizziness.
- Insomnia or drowsiness.
- Deterioration of memory, orientation in space.
- Impaired vision, speech, hearing.
- Lack of coordination.
- Frequent mood swings for no apparent reason.
- Muscle tension.
- Sound hallucinations.
- Sensation that there is some inexplicable pressure in the head.
If there is a cystic-solid formation of the spinal cord, this is manifested by pain, aggravated in the supine position and at night, descending backache, impaired motor function, paresis.
If at least some of the signs from the list appear, you should immediately go to the doctor.
Cystic solid formation in the thyroid gland
As a rule, a cystic solid formation in the thyroid gland is a cavity bounded by a dense membrane, filled with cells of the thyroid gland itself. Such cavities are observed single and multiple. The causes may be the following:
- Hereditary factor.
- Frequent stresses.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Iodine deficiency.
- Infectious diseases.
Symptoms
A solid cystic formation of the thyroid gland may not manifest itself at all and can be detected by chance during a routine examination of the patient. In such cases, the doctor, using palpation, gropes for small seals on the thyroid gland. Many people with this pathology have complaints:
- Difficulty and even pain when swallowing.
- Dyspnea (which was not previously) when walking.
- Hoarseness of voice.
- Pain (uncharacteristic sign).
The appearance of a cystic-solid formation in the left or right lobes of the thyroid gland is felt approximately the same. More often they are very small (up to 1 cm). However, cases of very voluminous cystic-solid formation (more than 10 cm) were recorded.
Solid cystic formation in the kidneys and pelvis
Tumors in the kidneys in men and women occur with approximately equal frequency. But in women, cystic-solid formations appear much more often than in men in the small pelvis. What can this bring to patients? Since this pathology is mainly observed in women of childbearing age, without timely treatment, it can lead to infertility. The main cause of the disease are hormonal disorders caused by:
- Pregnancy
- Menopause.
- Abortion
- Taking birth control pills.
Tumors are manifested by pain in the lower back and / or lower abdomen, headache, menstrual irregularities.
On the kidneys, cystic-solid formations appear for such reasons:
- Organ injuries.
- Tuberculosis (developing in the kidneys).
- Infections
- Operations.
- Stones, sand in the kidneys.
- Hypertension.
- Congenital organ abnormalities.
Patients complain of pain in the lumbar region, difficulty urinating, unstable blood pressure.
Diagnostics
Cystic-solid formations of any localization are diagnosed using the following methods:
- Examination by a doctor, palpation.
- Blood analysis.
- CT
- Ultrasound
- MPT.
- Biopsy.
In the event of cystic solid formations in the spinal cord, spinal X-ray, electroneuromyography, and spinal angiography are additionally performed.
Treatment
Detection of a cystic solid tumor is not a cause for preparation for death. In the vast majority of cases, such a pathology is successfully treated. According to the testimony, the doctor can prescribe medication or surgery. This mainly depends on the location of the tumor. So, with a cystic-solid formation on the medulla oblongata, operations are not performed, only pill treatment and radiotherapy are practiced. When a tumor is localized in other parts of the brain, surgery is usually prescribed using a laser and ultrasound. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are prescribed only if the tumor is inoperable. With this pathology in the thyroid gland, treatment methods depend on the size of the formation. Small nodules (up to 1 cm) are treated with tablets. With the appearance of larger formations, a puncture can be prescribed with the subsequent removal of the affected part of the thyroid gland.
Forecasts
Of course, the appearance of a tumor in any organ should be taken seriously. If the patient visits the doctor on time and fulfills all his prescriptions, then a cystic solid formation in the kidney, in the thyroid gland, in the genitourinary system and some other organs can be cured completely and without complications. The outcome of the treatment of such a pathology in the brain is less favorable, since during surgical intervention, neighboring tissues are almost always affected, which can lead to a number of complications. A tumor in the spinal cord or in the medulla oblongata is a variant with the least favorable outcome. But in these cases, timely treatment can save the patient's life.