Hi All,
I'm fascinated some of you were able to shrink it with herbs/diet. Had I read this first, I would have tried I think. Here is my experience, I hope it helps folks. I know I would have liked to have read this:
8 Years ago I discovered a lump on left side of my neck shaving - it grew to be the size of half an egg ( the oblong way) on my neck (rather quickly, 3-4 weeks). I was completely healthy in every other respect - just ran a marathon, never smoked/used drugs, rarely drank wine, not overweight (suggests it is indeed birth defect). The doctors did surgery and the biopsy revealed it was a branchial cyst. It never returned, and the scar is barely noticeable as they made the incision in cease of neck.
About two months ago, I got another lump! On the right side of my neck. Same story. This time I went to mayo clinic. They were very thorough and did a few things differently than the first hospital.
1. They biopsied the fluid and wall of cyst twice, two different methods, the more successful method was using ultrasound to see where their needle was going to grab cells. No pain, super simple, to confirm what it was before they treated.
2. They drained it (about 1/4 cup of fluid) during the ultrasound biopsy- the first time this happened they wouldn't drain it. I was glad they did, and if you are on this path ask them too.. it's comforting to have a few weeks without pressure on your neck while you wait for surgeon.
It was step 2 that was interesting. They removed fluid, it came right back again over 2 weeks although not as strong.. and seemed to sort of "stabilize" at a smaller egg. I was not interested in having a lump, and given previous surgery was success, I decided to undergo it a second time for other side. It's outpatient - you get it it in morning, go home evening. I had it done on a friday, I'll be returning to work on monday. It all went well.