Serena Williams Undergoes Surgery to Remove a Branchial Cyst—The Frightening Details of Her Recent Health Scare”
“It kept growing.”
Serena Williams has been reveling in retired life, regularly posting on social media about her family and businesses. But the 43-year-old just revealed that she’s recovering after having a cyst removed from her neck.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion said she first noticed something was off in May, but only recently had it removed. Here’s what she shared about her experience, and how she’s doing now.
What was Serena Williams’ medical condition?
Serena was diagnosed with a branchial cyst. “Back in May, I found a lump showing on my neck,” she shared in the caption of an October 15 TikTok that showed her in a hospital bed. “I immediately went to the doc, got a MRI, and was told I have a brachial cyst.”
Serena said she was told she didn’t need to have it removed, so she didn’t. “But it kept growing,” she added.
Three tests and a biopsy later, and Serena was told she should consider having it removed immediately, “because it was the size of a small grapefruit.”
“It could get infected or, worse, leak,” she shared. “So this is me removing it.”
What is a branchial cyst?
A branchial cyst, a.k.a. a branchial cleft cyst, is a small, fluid-filled sac that an look like a lump under the skin on the side of your neck, according to the Cleveland Clinic. They can appear at any age, but are usually found in kids.
Branchial cysts are not cancerous, but doctors may recommend surgery to remove them to lower the risk of infection, per the Cleveland Clinic.
How is Serena Williams feeling?
Serena seems to be doing okay now.
“I am feeling so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy,” she wrote. “I still made it to American doll with Olympia as promised. And yes, all is okay.”
Serena shared in the video that she was “suffering” during a trip to the American Girl Doll store with her daughter, Olympia. (Serena shares daughters Olympia, 6, and Adira, 1, with husband Alexis Ohanian.)
“But mom has to keep showing up,” she added.
