Can a benign cyst on kidney cause problems?

Kidney cysts are almost always benign (not cancerous). Usually, the cysts don’t cause any problems. In fact, people can go through life without even knowing that they have them. Some people have kidney cysts caused by an inherited disease called polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

Should benign kidney cysts be removed?

In most cases, simple kidney cysts do not cause symptoms and usually do not require treatment. However, in some cases simple kidney cysts can grow large enough and cause a dull pain in a person’s back, side or upper abdomen. These cysts can also get infected, causing pain, fever and tenderness.

How is a benign kidney cyst treated?

Options include:

Puncturing and draining the cyst, then filling it with alcohol. Rarely, to shrink the cyst, your doctor inserts a long, thin needle through your skin and through the wall of the kidney cyst.
Surgery to remove the cyst. A large or symptomatic cyst may require surgery to drain and remove it.

What does a simple cyst in the kidney mean?

Renal cysts are sacs of fluid that form in the kidneys. They are usually characterized as “simple” cysts, meaning they have a thin wall and contain water-like fluid. Renal cysts become fairly common as people age and usually do not cause symptoms or harm.

What does it mean to have a benign cyst?

Benign Cyst. A benign cyst is a cyst that is not cancerous. A cyst is a sac that has a membrane that separates the nearby tissue. It can be filled with air, fluids, or semi-solid material. The cyst may become infected and filled with pus. The infection can cause lymph nodes to swell if it is left untreated. An infected cyst is called an abscess.

What is the risk of a kidney cyst?

Kidney cysts can occasionally lead to complications, including: An infected cyst. A kidney cyst may become infected, causing fever and pain. A burst cyst. A kidney cyst that bursts causes severe pain in your back or side. Urine obstruction. A kidney cyst that obstructs the normal flow of urine may lead to swelling of the kidney (hydronephrosis).

Can a cyst on your kidney affect the kidney function?

They have thin walls and contain a water-like fluid. Simple cysts don’t damage the kidneys or affect their function. Polycystic kidney disease A genetic disorder in which numerous fluid-filled cysts develop in the kidney. (PKD) is an inherited condition that causes many cysts to form on the kidneys. These cysts can damage the kidneys as they grow.

Who treats renal cysts?

Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a board-certified urologist in NYC. He specializes in the treatment of men and women with kidney cysts, masses, renal cancer and angiomyolipoma ( AML ).

Can a benign cyst on kidney cause problems? Kidney cysts are almost always benign (not cancerous). Usually, the cysts don’t cause any problems. In fact, people can go through life without even knowing that they have them. Some people have kidney cysts caused by an inherited disease called polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Should benign kidney…