Nondiscrimination Policy Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

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Presacral or Tailgut Cyst

A tailgut cyst is a rare, non-cancerous growth that develops in the area near the lower spine and rectum, in an area called the presacral space. It forms at birth from tissue that forms a tail in the womb and doesn't fully disappear.

Symptoms

In most cases, a tailgut cyst doesn't cause any symptoms. If it does cause symptoms, they may include rectal pain, constipation, and pain while urinating. 

A tailgut cyst can also become infected, leading to more serious symptoms. In rare cases, it can turn into cancer. 

Treatments

Surgery to completely remove the cyst is the main treatment for a tailgut cyst.

Risk Factors

Women are much more likely to have a tailgut cyst than men. They also most commonly develop between the ages of 30 and 60 years old.

However, there are no known environmental or lifestyle risk factors for a tailgut cyst.

Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition

department

Colon and Rectal Surgery

BMC’s colorectal surgeons offer cutting-edge surgical treatments for conditions that affect the colon, rectum, and anus, in coordinating with other specialists.