Cervical cysts — mucus-filled lumps that form on the cervix — aren't cancerous. Also called nabothian (nuh-BOW-the-un) cysts, cervical cysts form when normal tissue on the outer part of the cervix grows over the glandular, mucus-producing tissue of the inner part of the cervix. When mucus becomes trapped, a cyst forms.
Your doctor might discover a cervical cyst incidentally during a pelvic exam. In general, cervical cysts don't cause symptoms and require no treatment.
In some cases, though, you might have a cervical cyst or other lesion that looks unusual to your doctor. Or you may have other signs and symptoms that suggest cervical cancer, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or pain during intercourse. If so, your doctor may collect a tissue sample (biopsy) to send for lab testing.
Feb. 26, 2014
- Lentz GM, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 18, 2013.
- AskMayoExpert. Cervical abnormalities. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- Goldstein DP, et al. Congenital cervical anomalies and benign cervical lesions. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Nov. 18, 2013.