A ganglion cyst (plural: ganglia) is a small, fluid-filled lump just below the skin. Ganglia usually form close to a joint.NowschedulingCOVID-19vaccinesforages12+,boostersandthirddosesScheduleyourappointmentCOVID-19vaccineFAQsGoingtoaClevelandCliniclocation?NewvisitationguidelinesMasksrequiredforpatientsandvisitors(evenifyou'revaccinated)Home/HealthLibrary/Disease&ConditionsGanglionCystsAganglioncystisafluid-filledlumpbelowthesurfaceoftheskinthatappearonnearjointsandtendons.Theyusuallydonotcauseanysymptomsandoftendisappearontheirown.Treatmentrangesfromobservationtoanoutpatientsurgerycalledaganglionectomy.Appointments216.444.2606Appointments&LocationsContactUsOverviewSymptomsandCausesDiagnosisandTestsManagementandTreatmentPreventionOutlook/PrognosisLivingWithGanglionCystsOverviewSymptomsandCausesDiagnosisandTestsManagementandTreatmentPreventionOutlook/PrognosisLivingWithBackToTopOverviewWhatisaganglioncyst?Aganglioncyst(plural:ganglia)isasmall,fluid-filledlumpjustbelowtheskin.Gangliausuallyformclosetoajoint.Mostganglioncystsareonthewrist,fingerorfoot.Howcommonareganglioncysts?Lotsofpeoplegetganglioncysts.Gangliaaresomeofthemostcommonbenign(noncancerous)massesthatdevelopinthebody’ssofttissues.SymptomsandCausesWhatcausesganglioncysts?Nooneknowsexactlywhatcausesaganglioncysttostartgrowing.Sometheoriesindicatethatacystmaydevelopaftersomethinginjuresajoint,allowingtissuetoleakorbulgeout.Currently,mostresearchersagreethatganglioncystsdevelopfrommesenchymalcellsatthesynovialcapsularjunctionasaresultofthecontinuousmicro-injury.Repetitiveinjurytothesupportingcapsularandligamentousstructuresappearstostimulatefibroblaststoproducehyaluronicacid,whichaccumulatestoproducethemucin"jelly-like"materialcommonlyfoundinganglioncystsWhogetsganglioncysts?Fromwhatthemedicalcommunityunderstandsaboutganglioncysts,anyonecangetthem.Certainfactorsmayincreaseyourchancesofhavingoneofthesecysts:Sex:Womendevelopgangliathreetimesmoreoftenthanmen.Age:Formostpeoplewhodevelopaganglioncyst,itappearsinea