Cystic Hygroma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Cystic Hygroma?
A pediatric surgeon (a surgeon who treats children) or an ear, nose, and throat doctor (a head and neck specialist) usually treats a cystic hygroma. During pregnancy, a maternal-fetal medicine doctor (a specialist in high-risk pregnancies) may follow the baby. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a cystic hygroma?
A cystic hygroma is a growth that often occurs in the head and neck area. It is a birth defect. It is also called a lymphangioma or lymphatic malformation. Cystic hygromas are benign, which means they are not cancer.
It forms while a baby grows in the womb. It grows from embryonic lymphatic tissue, which is early tissue that carries fluid and white blood cells. In about 80% of cases, it is in the head and neck area. It can also appear in the armpit, chest, and groin.
Symptoms
After birth, a cystic hygroma most often looks like a soft bulge under the skin. It may not be found at birth, and it typically grows as the child grows. Sometimes it is not noticed until the child is older. More than 60% of cases are present at birth, and up to 90% show up before age two.
Other signs can include:
- A neck growth that is found at birth, or later after a cold.
- A soft, painless mass that can be pressed in.
- Feeding or swallowing trouble.
- Fever, or a sudden increase in the size of the lump.
- A lump that turns warm, red, and tender when infected.
A lump in the neck or mouth can press on the airway, the tube that carries air to the lungs. Sometimes a cyst bleeds inside, and it then feels tense and hard.
Causes and who gets it
A cystic hygroma forms from lymphatic tissue (tissue that carries body fluid) while the baby grows in the womb. Sometimes a pregnancy ultrasound shows it while the baby is still in the womb. This can mean that the baby has a chromosomal problem or other birth defects.
Before birth, a baby with a cystic hygroma can have other birth defects in about 62% of cases. These can include Turner syndrome, Down syndrome, and Noonan syndrome, which are genetic conditions.
How doctors diagnose it
If a cystic hygroma is seen on a pregnancy ultrasound, other ultrasound tests or amniocentesis may be recommended. Amniocentesis is a test of the fluid around the baby. After birth, tests may include a chest x-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI scan.
CT and MRI scans show how far the lump reaches and how it relates to nerves and vessels. This helps when surgery is planned.
Treatment
Treatment involves removing all of the abnormal tissue with surgery. However, a cystic hygroma can often grow, which can make it impossible to remove all of the tissue. A medical review calls complete surgery the most preferred treatment. The same review says doctors also use sclerotherapy more and more. In sclerotherapy, a doctor injects a medicine into the cyst to make it shrink. MedlinePlus says chemotherapy medicines, injections of sclerosing medicines, radiation therapy, and steroids have been tried with only limited success.
Some cystic hygromas cause no trouble for a long time. Doctors suggest treatment for repeated infections, swallowing trouble, bleeding inside the cyst, or sudden growth. An infected cyst is treated with antibiotics, and an abscess may need to be drained.
Surgery can cause bleeding, infection, and damage to structures in the neck. The cystic hygroma can also return. In about 20% of cases, it comes back even after the lump seemed fully removed.
When to see a doctor
If you notice a lump in your neck or your child's neck, contact your health care provider. Also see a doctor if a known lump suddenly grows or turns red, warm, and tender, or if your child has a fever. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your child has trouble or abnormal breathing, or bluish or gray skin.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can examine a lump, help arrange imaging, coordinate specialists, and provide follow-up care.
Common questions
Is a cystic hygroma cancer?
No, a cystic hygroma is not cancer. A medical review calls it a benign growth, even though complications can happen.
Can a cystic hygroma come back after surgery?
Yes, it can come back. MedlinePlus says it commonly returns when surgery cannot remove all of the abnormal tissue. A medical review reports a return in about 20% of cases even after the lump seemed fully removed.
Can a cystic hygroma be seen before birth?
Yes, a pregnancy ultrasound can sometimes show a cystic hygroma while the baby is still in the womb. This can mean the baby has a chromosomal problem or other birth defects, so doctors may suggest more tests.
What is the outlook for a cystic hygroma?
The outlook is good if surgery can remove all of the abnormal tissue. The long-term outcome may also depend on other chromosomal problems or birth defects, if any are present.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Cystic hygroma
- National Library of Medicine (PubMed Central) - Cystic Hygroma: An Overview
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
