What is the life expectancy of someone with Tarlov Cyst?

Life expectancy of people with Tarlov Cyst and recent progresses and researches in Tarlov Cyst

The life expectancy of someone with Tarlov Cyst can vary depending on various factors. Tarlov Cyst is a rare condition characterized by the presence of fluid-filled sacs on the spinal nerves. While the cysts themselves are generally benign, they can cause debilitating symptoms such as chronic pain, weakness, and bladder or bowel dysfunction. The prognosis for individuals with Tarlov Cyst is highly individualized, and it is difficult to determine a specific life expectancy. Some individuals may experience mild symptoms and have a normal lifespan, while others may have more severe symptoms that impact their quality of life. It is important for individuals with Tarlov Cyst to work closely with their healthcare providers to manage symptoms and optimize their overall well-being.

Tarlov cysts, also known as perineural cysts, are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the nerve roots at the base of the spine. These cysts are typically benign and are often discovered incidentally during imaging tests for unrelated conditions. While Tarlov cysts are generally considered to be asymptomatic, they can sometimes cause pain, neurological symptoms, and complications depending on their size and location.

It is important to note that the life expectancy of someone with Tarlov cysts cannot be accurately determined solely based on the presence of these cysts. Tarlov cysts themselves are not life-threatening, and their impact on life expectancy primarily depends on the symptoms they cause and any associated complications.

Symptoms and Complications:

Tarlov cysts can vary in size and location, which can influence the symptoms experienced by individuals. Some people with Tarlov cysts may remain asymptomatic throughout their lives, while others may experience chronic pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, bowel or bladder dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction. These symptoms can significantly affect a person's quality of life and daily functioning.

In rare cases, Tarlov cysts can lead to complications such as cyst enlargement, rupture, infection, or compression of nearby nerves or spinal cord. These complications may require medical intervention and can potentially impact life expectancy if left untreated or if they cause severe neurological deficits.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Tarlov cysts are typically diagnosed through imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. However, it is important to note that the presence of Tarlov cysts on imaging does not necessarily correlate with the severity of symptoms or predict the progression of the condition.

Treatment for Tarlov cysts focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Conservative approaches may include pain management techniques, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and avoiding activities that exacerbate symptoms. In some cases, surgical intervention may be considered if symptoms are severe, progressive, or significantly impacting daily functioning. However, the effectiveness of surgery in relieving symptoms remains a topic of debate among medical professionals.

Life Expectancy:

As mentioned earlier, Tarlov cysts themselves are not life-threatening. Therefore, it is inappropriate to provide a specific life expectancy for individuals solely based on the presence of these cysts. The impact on life expectancy primarily depends on the severity of symptoms, associated complications, and the effectiveness of symptom management.

It is crucial for individuals with Tarlov cysts to work closely with their healthcare providers to develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses their specific symptoms and needs. By effectively managing symptoms and seeking appropriate medical care when complications arise, individuals with Tarlov cysts can lead fulfilling lives with a normal life expectancy.

Diseasemaps

You can get old with Tarlov cysts. Depending if someone who cannot have surgery and is in a lot of pain, doctors should help them get manage this disease. But is is very hard to get the pain under control. Doctors should be aware of this, because some patients don't see another way then suicide or euthanasia. So it is important that near relatives and primary care stand by these patients.

Posted Jul 23, 2021 by Stichting Overdruksyndroom NL

Life expectancy I'm sure isn't directly impacted by tarlov, but I'm sure with the amount of pain meds many sufferers are on could affect it.

Biggest impact is on quality of life directly from the cyst.

Aside from the surgery as treatment, it seems that most new studies and "advancements" are mostly still just linking symptoms and improvements of patients. Still seems to be a lot of trying to prove that the condition exists at this stage.

Posted Feb 26, 2017 by Amie 1250

We have normal life-expectancy. If you have more than a few cysts, I suggest looking into root causes of them. One major factor in developing multiple tarlov cysts is connective tissue disease. I found out a few years after my TC diagnosis that I also have Ehlers-Dalos which directly caused mine.

Posted Apr 11, 2017 by Kelly 5450

Normal as with anyone else

Posted Oct 29, 2017 by Karen 2500

Full Life Expectancy

Posted Jan 20, 2018 by dhedge42 2500

I was diagnosed with Tarlov Cysts in 2007 after having gone through 7 excruciating months of Chiropractic care for what was diagnosed by x-rays only for subluxations of the spine. Finally an MRI was done in late 2007. Diagnosis was made for Tarlov Cysts which no doctor or specialist knew anything about. I was referred to a neurosurgeon in my state of KY. He declined seeing me saying they were not symptomatic and nothing could be done about them. Since my primary care doctor had never heard of them he was no help either. I was left to do research on the internet on my own for someone/anyone who knew about them. After a month of searching and reading and printing every article I could find on the internet, I chose the neurosurgeon I thought had the most experience and interest. Contact was made, tests were done, trips were made for initial visit and surgery was scheduled for 2008. Unfortunately the Dr.’s don’t like to publish their unsuccessful surgeries on public forums. I had the surgery, 3 month follow up MRI’s were done and New Yarlov’s were discovered higher up above the sacrum site of surgery. I have lived with this for 10+yrs. and have lost all muscle mass due to not being able to walk, sit, stand or bend or anything that requires movement. I am allergic to narcotic and most pain killers and am living on Tylenol Extra Strength. Hoping and praying I can find something new to help. Life is unbearable with an unsuccessful surgery. Please take my advice and try all available options you can find before you consider surgery. My primary care DR. is the same with no help and I am at the point of begging for another MRI. to see if anything can be done. If anyone has any advice who is living with this please reply. Thank you! Gloria

Posted Apr 6, 2018 by Bullock2846 100

I was diagnosed 2 years ago, it is taking over my body but with help & advice i have decided to have it removed. So it depends on the help, procedures or surgery your willing to have

Posted Jun 18, 2018 by MissLeanneM 1700

It does not determine life expectancy.

Posted Jun 18, 2018 by Ze 2520

I think i have the same life expectancy as any other healthy person.

Posted Jun 19, 2018 by Debbie Dronfield 2500

You can live with tarlov but it is painful

Posted Jun 19, 2018 by Lynn 2500

who knows ! the same as others

Posted Jun 22, 2018 by Julie 1600

Im 19 years old and got diagnosed with tarlov cysts in my cervical spine in june. I dont know much about it but i have been getting cupping therapy done every 2 weeks for the past few months and that seems to be the only thing thats lessened the pain so far.

Posted Nov 18, 2018 by M Aashir 100

I don’t believe it shortens your life span. However some in my group have taken their lives because they can no longer deal with the pain.

Posted Nov 30, 2018 by Connie 1740

Easy, when nature calls you from this world. These cysts can not kill you. I know of a lady in her late 80s with them.

Posted Dec 9, 2019 by Ze 1500

I’m not sure, I don’t know the answer to this question.

Posted Dec 10, 2019 by Jess Carhart 2500

Normal not effected

Posted Jul 22, 2021 by Michelle Tamplin 2500

Tarlov Cysts are *Benign* - ie they are not life threatening.

Any severe pain condition can have an adverse affect in general health and mental health.

Some of the best information about TCs can be found on the “Tarlov Cyst Foundation” website.

TCs cannot be “removed” but can be surgically treated by one of the very few TC experts worldwide.

There are approx 3 TC experts in the USA + 3 in the UK + 1 in Germany. The world expert is Dr Frank Feigenbaum (USA) who also operates in Cyprus, Europe 2 or 3 times a year.

Posted Jul 22, 2021 by Lesley 100

I think it depends of what is all linked to it ..most of us dont have TC but also Arachnoiditis or EDS and i have also chiari malformation...
The side effects of the many meds i take and the consequences all my diseases have on my life is very big...it will maybe not directly kill me but the question is how long are you willibg to live like this...
And pns dont say look for the small thibgs in life, i know that and try that but every day is a struggle to survive.. the joy in life is sometimes far away...

Posted Jul 23, 2021 by Ine 100

Life expectancy is just normal, however some patients are in so much pain that they are thinking of suicide or euthanasia. Therefore, doctors should be aware of this very serious painful condition.

If not supported by fysicians, one should seek help with support groups.

Posted Jul 25, 2021 by SOSNL 2500

De levensverwachting hoeft niet korter te zijn dan gewoonlijk. Wel kan de pijn onhoudbaar worden als er geen goede pijnstilling behaald kan worden.

Posted Jul 26, 2021 by Founder SOSNL 2500

Tc's do not shorten your life span but they can greatly reduce your quality of life!

Posted Jul 26, 2021 by KetoGma 2500

Is the same as other people

Posted Oct 25, 2022 by Tania 2500

Translated from spanish Improve translation

Is that there are very few neurosurgeon who dare or operate the Dr Feigenbaum with results that are satisfactory or more. In Spain a doctor made intervention to drain the cyst of fluid and the filling of fibrin.

Posted Mar 24, 2017 by Simona 1060

Translated from french Improve translation

Life expectancy is the same as that of a person who is not afflicted by this disease. Regarding progress, it seems that in the United States , in Dallas, a neurosurgeon may obtain very good result through the surgery, by contrast, in France and in Europe, no further progress (due to the lack of research and specialists) .

Posted Sep 30, 2017 by 1000