What is the lump on Serena Williams neck?

The lump on Serena Williams' neck was a large, benign (noncancerous) branchial cleft cyst, which she had surgically removed in late 2024 after it grew to the size of a small grapefruit. These congenital cysts form from birth but can grow and cause issues, leading to recommended removal to prevent infection, leakage, or discomfort, as she shared in social media updates.

Is a branchial cyst life threatening?

Branchial cleft cysts are typically benign (noncancerous). In very rare instances, these cysts can turn into cancer. Even if the branchial cyst doesn't cause issues, you might need surgery to remove it and prevent future infections.

What kind of cyst did Serena Williams have?

She shared a video clip of the scar left after surgery to remove the lump, which turned out to be a noncancerous branchial cleft cyst. It also turned out that Williams, 43, was an outlier, as this type of neck mass is relatively uncommon in middle-age to older adults.

How do I get rid of a sebaceous cyst on my neck?

Epidermal inclusion cyst (sebaceous cyst) removal

1. Incision and drainage: Your provider will make a small opening over the cyst and release the collection of fluid within the cyst. ...
2. Surgical excision: A surgical procedure that removes the cyst.

What does a sebaceous cyst on the neck look like?

Symptoms of a skin cyst

are round lumps just underneath the skin. often contain fluid or pus. sometimes have a small, dark spot in the middle. grow slowly and vary in size from smaller than a pea to several centimetres across.

Serena Williams Had Grapefruit-Sized Cyst Removed From Neck

What are the symptoms of a cancerous sebaceous cyst?

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in an oil gland in the skin. Sebaceous carcinoma most often affects the eyelids. Sebaceous carcinoma may begin as a painless lump or thickening of skin on the eyelid. On other parts of the body, it might cause a bump on the skin that may bleed or have a scab.

What illness has Serena Williams got?

Serena Williams has faced serious health challenges, most notably life-threatening pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in the lungs), including a major event in 2011 and a recurrence after childbirth in 2017, which led to a near-fatal experience. She also underwent surgery for a large brachial cyst (benign neck cyst) in 2024 and has dealt with depression during injury layoffs. Her experiences highlight issues with maternal health, especially for Black women, and her advocacy focuses on being heard by medical professionals.
 

How do they remove a branchial cyst from the neck?

An incision is made in a skin crease close to the lump, and the cyst and any associated tissue are removed. Sometimes a small drain may be placed in the neck and if so an overnight stay in the hospital is required. The drain is usually removed the day after surgery or longer if necessary.

Why do people get cysts in their neck?

There are many causes of lumps in the neck. The most common lumps or swellings are enlarged lymph nodes. These can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, cancer (malignancy), or other rare causes. Swollen salivary glands under the jaw may be caused by infection or cancer.

Can a branchial cyst burst?

Spontaneous rupture of an abscessed branchial cleft cyst may result in a purulent draining sinus to the skin or the pharynx. Depending on the size and the anatomic extension of the mass, local symptoms, such as dysphagia, dysphonia, dyspnea, and stridor, may occur.

Is Serena Williams taking Ozempic?

Yes, Serena Williams has publicly stated she uses GLP-1 weight-loss medication, similar to Ozempic (semaglutide) or Zepbound (tirzepatide), to help with weight management after pregnancy, feeling healthier, having more energy, and reducing joint pain, viewing it as a way to support her health goals alongside diet and exercise. She has been open about her use, even partnering with telehealth company Ro for a campaign to normalize conversations around these drugs.
 

What disability does Venus Williams have?

Venus Williams lives with Sjögren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disease diagnosed in 2011, causing severe fatigue, joint pain, and dryness that significantly impacted her tennis career, leading her to adopt a plant-based diet and wellness routine to manage debilitating symptoms, though she also dealt with painful uterine fibroids requiring surgery.
 

Can branchial cleft cysts become cancerous?

In extremely rare cases, branchial cleft cysts can undergo malignant transformation. Herein, we present a rare case of a 65-year-old male patient who had a painless neck mass on the left side for 6 months. Routine postoperative histopathological examination of the resected mass revealed branchial cleft carcinoma.

Why does Serena Williams look different?

Related Stories. Williams says her struggle with weight began after she gave birth to her first daughter, Olympia, in 2017, and her body started to change postpartum. "I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be, no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained,” she explained.

Is Meghan Markle still friends with Serena Williams?

The world may have been shocked when American tennis legend Serena Williams showed up to Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's royal wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018, but they shouldn't have been, as the women have been close friends for 15 years.

What is the difference between a lump and a sebaceous cyst?

A lipoma is a fat-filled lump mostly found in the forehead, arms, legs, neck, back, and thighs, whereas a sebaceous cyst is a fluid-filled lump that develops from a sebaceous gland and is commonly present in the head and neck region.

How do you treat a sebaceous cyst on your neck?

A cyst can be injected with steroids. This can reduce inflammation and the cyst may not need to be drained. But infected cysts may need to be cut and drained. To do this, your provider makes a hole in (punctures) the top and removes the contents.

What is the survival rate for sebaceous carcinoma?

Sebaceous carcinoma is an aggressive skin cancer with a 5-year overall survival rate of 78% for localized/regional disease and 50% for metastatic disease. The incidence of this cancer has been increasing in the United States for several decades, but the underlying reasons for this increase are unclear.

Can I stick a needle in a sebaceous cyst?

Sebaceous cysts are benign lumps under the skin that may seem tempting to pop but should not be self‑treated at home. Attempting to pop a cyst significantly increases the risk of infection and inflammation by exposing the area to bacteria.

What is inside a sebaceous cyst?

Epidermoid cysts, also known as a sebaceous cysts, are encapsulated subepidermal nodules filled with keratin. Although most commonly located on the face, neck, and trunk, epidermoid cysts can form anywhere on the body.

When to worry about a lump under skin?

You should worry about a lump under your skin if it's hard, fixed (doesn't move), growing rapidly, painful, red, hot, or accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss, or night sweats; especially see a doctor promptly for lumps that appear after 40, are in the neck/groin/armpit, don't go away after a couple of weeks, or are on breasts/testicles. Trust your instincts; any persistent or concerning lump warrants a medical evaluation to rule out serious conditions like cancer.