Depends on where it is. If it is on the outside meaning the skin it will be a hard lump that can be a little tender to very red, inflamed and very painful. If the cyst is instead the body like an ovarian cyst. You will have mild to severe pain usually with nausea. You would not be able to feel the cyst but pushing on the stomach would increase the pain. If you told me what kind of cyst you are talking about maybe I could help you more.