Overview
A urachal cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms along the urachus, a small tube-like structure that exists before birth. During fetal development, the urachus connects the bladder to the belly button (umbilicus). Normally, this tube closes completely before a baby is born. When part of it fails to close properly, a pocket of fluid can collect in the middle section, forming what is called a urachal cyst. This condition is also sometimes referred to as a cyst of the urachus or urachal remnant cyst. Most urachal cysts are found in the lower part of the abdomen, between the belly button and the bladder. Many people have no symptoms at all and the cyst is discovered by accident during an ultrasound or scan done for another reason. However, if the cyst becomes infected or grows large, it can cause pain in the lower belly, fever, and problems with urination. Infected cysts can become serious if not treated promptly. The main treatment for a urachal cyst is surgery to remove it. This is usually done using minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques, which means smaller cuts and a faster recovery. If the cyst is infected, antibiotics are given first, and sometimes the infection needs to be drained before surgery. With proper treatment, most people recover fully and do not have long-term problems. There is a small risk of a rare cancer called urachal carcinoma developing in untreated cysts, which is one reason doctors often recommend removal even when there are no symptoms.
Key symptoms:
Pain or tenderness in the lower bellyA lump or swelling near the belly button or lower abdomenFever, especially if the cyst is infectedRedness or warmth of the skin over the lower abdomenDifficulty or pain when urinatingFrequent need to urinateDischarge or drainage from the belly buttonNausea or general feeling of being unwellBlood in the urine (in rare cases)
Clinical phenotype terms (16)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Urachal cyst.
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Urachal cyst.
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Does my cyst need to be removed right away, or can we watch it for a while?,What type of surgery do you recommend, and what does recovery look like?,Is there any risk of cancer if the cyst is left untreated?,How will you know if the cyst is infected, and what should I do if I develop a fever?,What are the chances the cyst could come back after surgery?,Are there any long-term follow-up tests I will need after the cyst is removed?,Should other family members be checked for this condition?
Common questions about Urachal cyst
What is Urachal cyst?
A urachal cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms along the urachus, a small tube-like structure that exists before birth. During fetal development, the urachus connects the bladder to the belly button (umbilicus). Normally, this tube closes completely before a baby is born. When part of it fails to close properly, a pocket of fluid can collect in the middle section, forming what is called a urachal cyst. This condition is also sometimes referred to as a cyst of the urachus or urachal remnant cyst. Most urachal cysts are found in the lower part of the abdomen, between the belly button and the b
How is Urachal cyst inherited?
Urachal cyst follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Urachal cyst?
1 specialists and care centers treating Urachal cyst are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.