TW: Mentions of graphic detail
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This story is for the strong of heart. It is the stuff nightmares are made of. A woman has gone viral online after sharing her horrifying story. The young woman posted a video on TikTok explaining her ordeal, and how she felt when she discovered she had a cyst capable of growing brain tissue, among other more disgusting things. Here's what happened.
A routine pelvic ultrasound turned into a nightmare
A young woman shared her harrowing experience on TikTok. The clip was re-shared by Dr. Myro Figuara, who explained her ordeal. During a routine pelvic ultrasound, her gynaecologist discovered a mysterious clump in her body. She explained she hoped the mass was not a baby, as she did not feel ready to welcome one. However, it was rather disgusting. The woman said:
It's not a baby, it's actually something way worse than a baby. She looks me in the eyes and tells me that I have a 7cm chicken egg-sized cyst called a 'dermoid cyst'.
Dr. Figuara explained that dermoid cysts can grow teeth, skin, hair and brain tissue:
These are tumours of reproductive cells which means they can grow into any tissue in your body, including teeth and hair. And they can be present since birth, they usually don't cause any symptoms, so you might not even know that's it there.
And just in case you're wondering, men can get them as well, including inside their testicles.
What is a dermoid cyst?
A dermoid cyst is quite a common issue. It is an enclosed sac which forms during a baby's development, and it can grow anywhere in your body, including under your eyelids or on your spine. It is quite common, and it is not harmful to your health. While it is rare for people to experience any symptoms, they can include nausea, vomiting, constipation and a change in appetite. According to Healthline:
It may contain hair follicles, skin tissue, and glands that produce sweat and skin oil. The glands continue to produce these substances, causing the cyst to grow.
Dermoid cysts do not go away by themselves, they need to be surgically removed. They usually tend to grow near the surface of your skin, but they can also implant themselves deeper in your organs, making them hard to diagnose until later in life, despite being present since your birth. They generally develop during the embryo stage, but it is unclear why they appear.
Read more:
Doctors discovered what she was carrying wasn't a baby but something much worse
This man complained of painful migraines, his doctors discovered a parasite in his brain
Sources used:
Healthline: What You Should Know About Dermoid Cysts
Mirror: Woman horrified after being diagnosed with cyst that grows 'teeth, skin and hair'
