Elbow Lymphatic Cyst?

During the holidays our 20 yr old son discovered a pea-sized moving "lump" near his elbow. His college clinic just diagnosed it as lymphatic cyst and scheduled it to be operated on in mid-Feb.  Are these common? What causes them to form? Should the procedure be done sooner? Should the substance be biopsied? Any information to clarify any of this is most welcomed.  Many thanks. MeMe49

[Enoch Choi, MD]

very common

trauma can preceed them

no need to be sooner.

they send everything they cut out to the pathologist to take a look

[MeMe49]

Thanks very much for your reassurance.  We live overseas and it is hard to get the right info - even from our own son - when so far away. Really appreciate this type of forum and you taking the time to help so many of us out.  MeMe49