Kidney Cysts

samNML
samNML Member Posts: 20

Hi Everyone,

 

I have posted here before whenever I had concerns about my wife which Thank God turned to be a much better outcome in her case but here is my story now:

 

2 weeks ago I went for an Abdominal Ultrasound to rule out Gallbladder stones or inflammed liver as I was experincing some burning discomfort but instead, although my liver looked fine and no gallbladders stones were found, my doctor told me that they found 2 tiny cysts in my right kidney, the bigger one being 2.5cm, although she said the reports indicate that one of the cysts seemed harmless but for the other one, they want to have a better look and recommended a CT scan. Do I assume cancer? can Cancer be diagnosed based on Ultra sound results...?my doctor told me to not worry yet but I am really stressed out.

 

I am 40/male and in good general health other than problems with stomach acidity.

 

I did some re-search on the Internet and found out that cysts are categorized as

Simple

Complexe

maybe I got one simple and one complexe cyst.

 

Note: I do not have blood in my urine or buring while urinating...any other symtoms I need to be aware of? I do get buring discomfort in my right/lower abdominal but that's mainly when I am stressed out or after I eat fatty food or diary products...

 

Hope to hear from some

 

Thanks

 

Sam

 

Comments

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member
    Hi Sam,
    If I was you I would

    Hi Sam,

    If I was you I would not assume anything just now. I would try to put the thought of cancer to the back of your mind. At the moment no matter what the growths are, they are very small. Try not to preempt things, your imagination will take it and run with it. It does sound like you have a touch of  irritable bowel though, so try not to make it worse by stressing.

    All the best

    Djinnie

  • MeMeJoy
    MeMeJoy Member Posts: 70
    just don't do nothing

    Sorry to hear that you are going through this! To me the worst part is the waiting, waiting for tests, waiting for results, etc.

    There are others here that can offer advice based on your specific situation, all I can say is-  don't do nothing!

    My story in a nut shell - 3yrs ago they found a 2.5 cm mass that at first they said looked suspicious, then after a CT they ruled it to be a simple cyst. No need to worry. So I never looked into again, I was 29. Now that 2.5 cyst is 8.7 cm (which from what I gather is a pretty fast growth rate) and it's cancer. The only way I knew it was there, and so large,  is b/c I had had a kidney stone that landed me in the ER on Easter this year. My point is, it may be a cyst and they may want to monitor it. If thats the case make sure you continue to monitor it. Don't simply walk away without continued monitoring. And if they want to take it out, let 'em!

    In hindsight, I've had back pain for a while, but I wouldn't consider it pain, more discomfort like I slept wrong or should have better posture, and have been fatigued more than normal. Until the kidney stone I never had blood in my urine either.

    Good luck and I hope you get answers soon!

  • MDCinSC
    MDCinSC Member Posts: 574
    Djinnie said:

    Hi Sam,
    If I was you I would

    Hi Sam,

    If I was you I would not assume anything just now. I would try to put the thought of cancer to the back of your mind. At the moment no matter what the growths are, they are very small. Try not to preempt things, your imagination will take it and run with it. It does sound like you have a touch of  irritable bowel though, so try not to make it worse by stressing.

    All the best

    Djinnie

    Good advice Djinnie!

    Don't borrow trouble, but continue to follow up.  Obviously it will be whatever it will be but take it through the process.  Pax!

     

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    MeMeJoy said:

    just don't do nothing

    Sorry to hear that you are going through this! To me the worst part is the waiting, waiting for tests, waiting for results, etc.

    There are others here that can offer advice based on your specific situation, all I can say is-  don't do nothing!

    My story in a nut shell - 3yrs ago they found a 2.5 cm mass that at first they said looked suspicious, then after a CT they ruled it to be a simple cyst. No need to worry. So I never looked into again, I was 29. Now that 2.5 cyst is 8.7 cm (which from what I gather is a pretty fast growth rate) and it's cancer. The only way I knew it was there, and so large,  is b/c I had had a kidney stone that landed me in the ER on Easter this year. My point is, it may be a cyst and they may want to monitor it. If thats the case make sure you continue to monitor it. Don't simply walk away without continued monitoring. And if they want to take it out, let 'em!

    In hindsight, I've had back pain for a while, but I wouldn't consider it pain, more discomfort like I slept wrong or should have better posture, and have been fatigued more than normal. Until the kidney stone I never had blood in my urine either.

    Good luck and I hope you get answers soon!

    Small but not tiny

    Usually cysts of 1 cm or less are benign and they are very common. At 2.5 cm it defineltly needs to be checked on a CT which can usually tell if it is Cancer, but only in terms of a percentage. The good news is that even if it is the big C it is as close to 100% curable  as you can get with the surgery alone.

     

     Icemantoo

  • samNML
    samNML Member Posts: 20
    icemantoo said:

    Small but not tiny

    Usually cysts of 1 cm or less are benign and they are very common. At 2.5 cm it defineltly needs to be checked on a CT which can usually tell if it is Cancer, but only in terms of a percentage. The good news is that even if it is the big C it is as close to 100% curable  as you can get with the surgery alone.

     

     Icemantoo

    Thanks for the replies,

    Thanks for the replies, really appreciate that...

    I should be hearing soon for my CT scan appointment.

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member
    samNML said:

    Thanks for the replies,

    Thanks for the replies, really appreciate that...

    I should be hearing soon for my CT scan appointment.

    Let us know how you get on.

    Let us know how you get on. All the best.

    Djinnie

  • samNML
    samNML Member Posts: 20
    Djinnie said:

    Let us know how you get on.

    Let us know how you get on. All the best.

    Djinnie

    Hi everyone,
     
    I just got a

    Hi everyone,

     

    I just got a call from the hospital and my CT scan has been scheduled for SEPTEMBER 27th??

    I have to wait 4 months!!! that's way too long to investigate a cyst....

     

    Sam

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    samNML said:

    Hi everyone,
     
    I just got a

    Hi everyone,

     

    I just got a call from the hospital and my CT scan has been scheduled for SEPTEMBER 27th??

    I have to wait 4 months!!! that's way too long to investigate a cyst....

     

    Sam

    One or two more thoughts

    The idea that a cyst on a kidney will necessarily be cancer is unfounded.  It's also folklore that 'it's bound to become cancerous'. 

    Most of us will have numbers of kidney cysts which are benign.  As we get older we practically all get them.  Obviously if we get symptoms thorough investigation is necessary.  If we know we have a cyst or cysts, monitoring at appropriate intervals makes good sense. 

    MeMeJoy's experience is a salutary warning not to be complacent, though in fairness to her docs, hers must be a very unusually unlucky history - I've certainly never heard of anything like it - the staggering rate of growth sounds as if it could only be due to a recurrence or a met from an unknown primary.  Against a typical RCC tumor growth rate of about 1/3cm per year,  growing 6.2 cm in 3 years is astonishing.

    A 4 month wait for you isn't really much to get too excited about since you very likely have no cause for worry.  I've lost one kidney and have a 6.5 cm cyst on the top of my remaining kidney, which we're not unduly worried about, but then I do get CT scans with contrast every 12 weeks.

    Don't get too worked up about the wait but if you're going to find it too much to bear why not say so and ask if you can have it brought forward a bit?

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member

    One or two more thoughts

    The idea that a cyst on a kidney will necessarily be cancer is unfounded.  It's also folklore that 'it's bound to become cancerous'. 

    Most of us will have numbers of kidney cysts which are benign.  As we get older we practically all get them.  Obviously if we get symptoms thorough investigation is necessary.  If we know we have a cyst or cysts, monitoring at appropriate intervals makes good sense. 

    MeMeJoy's experience is a salutary warning not to be complacent, though in fairness to her docs, hers must be a very unusually unlucky history - I've certainly never heard of anything like it - the staggering rate of growth sounds as if it could only be due to a recurrence or a met from an unknown primary.  Against a typical RCC tumor growth rate of about 1/3cm per year,  growing 6.2 cm in 3 years is astonishing.

    A 4 month wait for you isn't really much to get too excited about since you very likely have no cause for worry.  I've lost one kidney and have a 6.5 cm cyst on the top of my remaining kidney, which we're not unduly worried about, but then I do get CT scans with contrast every 12 weeks.

    Don't get too worked up about the wait but if you're going to find it too much to bear why not say so and ask if you can have it brought forward a bit?

    Wait for CT

    Sam,

     

    It is unlikely that anything bad is going to happen over a 4 month wait, but if it were me with a 2.5 cm cyst I would want the CT sooner than later.

    Icemantoo

  • Limelife50
    Limelife50 Member Posts: 476

    One or two more thoughts

    The idea that a cyst on a kidney will necessarily be cancer is unfounded.  It's also folklore that 'it's bound to become cancerous'. 

    Most of us will have numbers of kidney cysts which are benign.  As we get older we practically all get them.  Obviously if we get symptoms thorough investigation is necessary.  If we know we have a cyst or cysts, monitoring at appropriate intervals makes good sense. 

    MeMeJoy's experience is a salutary warning not to be complacent, though in fairness to her docs, hers must be a very unusually unlucky history - I've certainly never heard of anything like it - the staggering rate of growth sounds as if it could only be due to a recurrence or a met from an unknown primary.  Against a typical RCC tumor growth rate of about 1/3cm per year,  growing 6.2 cm in 3 years is astonishing.

    A 4 month wait for you isn't really much to get too excited about since you very likely have no cause for worry.  I've lost one kidney and have a 6.5 cm cyst on the top of my remaining kidney, which we're not unduly worried about, but then I do get CT scans with contrast every 12 weeks.

    Don't get too worked up about the wait but if you're going to find it too much to bear why not say so and ask if you can have it brought forward a bit?

    Not Complicated

    Cmon cysts are fluid filled and cancerous tumors are heavy and dense,hey T since you recieve contrast when getting a CT scan for which i am assuming you are givin a half dose what is your creatinine level.

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798

    Not Complicated

    Cmon cysts are fluid filled and cancerous tumors are heavy and dense,hey T since you recieve contrast when getting a CT scan for which i am assuming you are givin a half dose what is your creatinine level.

    Scans

    Actually, I get full dose every time, so far as I know - maybe I'll just verify this next time, but a reduction has never been mentioned.  My latest creatinine level was 110 umol/L, giving me an eGFR of 59.

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member

    Scans

    Actually, I get full dose every time, so far as I know - maybe I'll just verify this next time, but a reduction has never been mentioned.  My latest creatinine level was 110 umol/L, giving me an eGFR of 59.

    That's Amazingly Good

    Your kidney function is amazingly good for missing one kidney and a large cyst in the other. What do you attribute that to?

    Your kidney function is better than mine when I had 2 kidneys 2-3 years ago.

    Todd

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    todd121 said:

    That's Amazingly Good

    Your kidney function is amazingly good for missing one kidney and a large cyst in the other. What do you attribute that to?

    Your kidney function is better than mine when I had 2 kidneys 2-3 years ago.

    Todd

    Kidney function

    First thing to say, Todd, is that the cyst is benign and of course we hope it remains that way - no great reason to fear it won't - and it won't have any material effect on function.

    Otherwise, I guess I was lucky to have a good genetic legacy and I've been fit and strong all my life.  I've dabbled in quite a few different sports (favourites being competitive weight-lifting, rowing and running - a few marathons  and half-marathons) and have kept in decent shape for all of my 70 years. I picked up an Award in Physical Education from Edinburgh University while doing research for a Doctorate in psychology (which, in the event,  I never completed).

    I've been interested in matters like exercise physiology, anthropometrics, nutrition, allergy and food intolerance/sensitivity for as long as I can remember and so I've always had a fairly sensible diet and lifestyle.  I'm a non-smoker and kept my bodyweight within a pound or two either side of 11 stone/70 kg for the last 55 years, though I'm now down to around 141 lbs but seem to have arrested the decline at above 10 stone and shall try to pack a bit of muscle back on if I can.

    I don't know what my kidney function was in the past but presumably pretty good. I was never ill and so didn't have any health screening at all between about age seven and my late sixties - actually had an all clear just a few months before an episode of gross haematuria, following a long golf match in the Scottish Highlands, led to detection of very advanced cancer!

    At the moment, my eGFR moves about from around 53 to over 60, probably depending on whether I've allowed myself to get slightly de-hydrated.  That's good enough at seventy and with one kidney so it helps me to look on the bright side.  However, plenty of folks are doing OK on much lower figures, even youngsters like you.  Wink

  • GSRon
    GSRon Member Posts: 1,303 Member

    Kidney function

    First thing to say, Todd, is that the cyst is benign and of course we hope it remains that way - no great reason to fear it won't - and it won't have any material effect on function.

    Otherwise, I guess I was lucky to have a good genetic legacy and I've been fit and strong all my life.  I've dabbled in quite a few different sports (favourites being competitive weight-lifting, rowing and running - a few marathons  and half-marathons) and have kept in decent shape for all of my 70 years. I picked up an Award in Physical Education from Edinburgh University while doing research for a Doctorate in psychology (which, in the event,  I never completed).

    I've been interested in matters like exercise physiology, anthropometrics, nutrition, allergy and food intolerance/sensitivity for as long as I can remember and so I've always had a fairly sensible diet and lifestyle.  I'm a non-smoker and kept my bodyweight within a pound or two either side of 11 stone/70 kg for the last 55 years, though I'm now down to around 141 lbs but seem to have arrested the decline at above 10 stone and shall try to pack a bit of muscle back on if I can.

    I don't know what my kidney function was in the past but presumably pretty good. I was never ill and so didn't have any health screening at all between about age seven and my late sixties - actually had an all clear just a few months before an episode of gross haematuria, following a long golf match in the Scottish Highlands, led to detection of very advanced cancer!

    At the moment, my eGFR moves about from around 53 to over 60, probably depending on whether I've allowed myself to get slightly de-hydrated.  That's good enough at seventy and with one kidney so it helps me to look on the bright side.  However, plenty of folks are doing OK on much lower figures, even youngsters like you.  Wink

    Me too

    I too have a cyst in my right Kidney, it was there before my surgery and the doctors are not concerned with it overall.  But my Kidney function is not as good as yours, with a higher Createnine level.  But I just forget about it.  However I have made sure my diet changed to be Kidney friendly.  I drink a lot more water than ever and have eliminated most of the salt.

    Be Well All...

    Ron

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    GSRon said:

    Me too

    I too have a cyst in my right Kidney, it was there before my surgery and the doctors are not concerned with it overall.  But my Kidney function is not as good as yours, with a higher Createnine level.  But I just forget about it.  However I have made sure my diet changed to be Kidney friendly.  I drink a lot more water than ever and have eliminated most of the salt.

    Be Well All...

    Ron

    Mr. Sensible

    Oh Ron! Good attitude, plenty of water, low salt diet - playing it safe - but then, when the I o M  TT hoves into view all that caution disappears like a Manx cat's tail!! Wink

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member

    Kidney function

    First thing to say, Todd, is that the cyst is benign and of course we hope it remains that way - no great reason to fear it won't - and it won't have any material effect on function.

    Otherwise, I guess I was lucky to have a good genetic legacy and I've been fit and strong all my life.  I've dabbled in quite a few different sports (favourites being competitive weight-lifting, rowing and running - a few marathons  and half-marathons) and have kept in decent shape for all of my 70 years. I picked up an Award in Physical Education from Edinburgh University while doing research for a Doctorate in psychology (which, in the event,  I never completed).

    I've been interested in matters like exercise physiology, anthropometrics, nutrition, allergy and food intolerance/sensitivity for as long as I can remember and so I've always had a fairly sensible diet and lifestyle.  I'm a non-smoker and kept my bodyweight within a pound or two either side of 11 stone/70 kg for the last 55 years, though I'm now down to around 141 lbs but seem to have arrested the decline at above 10 stone and shall try to pack a bit of muscle back on if I can.

    I don't know what my kidney function was in the past but presumably pretty good. I was never ill and so didn't have any health screening at all between about age seven and my late sixties - actually had an all clear just a few months before an episode of gross haematuria, following a long golf match in the Scottish Highlands, led to detection of very advanced cancer!

    At the moment, my eGFR moves about from around 53 to over 60, probably depending on whether I've allowed myself to get slightly de-hydrated.  That's good enough at seventy and with one kidney so it helps me to look on the bright side.  However, plenty of folks are doing OK on much lower figures, even youngsters like you.  Wink

    That's Great

    My creatinine was 1.3 a couple of years back. I wondered if the tumor that was undoubtedly there could have affected that back then. It's been in the 1.5+ to 1.6+ range since I healed up from my surgery (but was at 1.9 just following my surgery). The kidney they took was my larger kidney. They were concerned that the smaller, remaining kidney might not have enough filtration to handle things, but thank goodness that turned out not to be the case.

    I was under the impression that cysts would or could affect kidney function just by interfering with filtration, but I suppose it depends on where it is? Keeping BP low certainly helps and keeping overall body fat low helps with BP among many things.

    Wish I had had some interest in sports or athletics, but I never did. I spent 5 years in the Army where I was forced to participate, and that was my first real introduction to physical fitness. But their emphasis certainly wasn't on enjoying yourself! Can't say it stuck with me. When my sons were playing soccer I referreed a ton of games for several years, but continued to gain weight during that time. I've seemed to have always had a slow metabolism and even moderate amounts of food cause me to gain. But I'm also aware that more exercise would definitely help that. Some of the slow metabolism has probably been my sleep apnea discovered about 10 years ago. I have severe sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine to keep me breating at night. I'm not sure the CPAP machine has been fully effective, but I'm sure I"d have been worse off without it.

    You're an inspiration. I'm glad to have been reading your posts in these months.

    Todd

  • GSRon
    GSRon Member Posts: 1,303 Member

    Mr. Sensible

    Oh Ron! Good attitude, plenty of water, low salt diet - playing it safe - but then, when the I o M  TT hoves into view all that caution disappears like a Manx cat's tail!! Wink

    IOM

    Hi ya TW..!  Oh my.. yes I can do my diet on the IOM.  There is a small store inside the close by gas station.. they have fresh fruit, ready made salads, and lots of cold water..  yes I will have some bad food at times..  Oh yes and the Manx Kippers... too much salt, but tasty..  I will have only one Kipper in the two weeks I will be there.   I will take some good California red wine with me, and not have any beer.   I know my Hostess will hand me a cocktail daily.. but heck just one...

    So, I am now in full race prep mode, I have less than two months to get my racer ready to ship.  The shipping details are all sorted, whew..!   Today I put on the IOM gearing and made up a new transmission part to reverse the shift pattern.  Tomorrow I will install the transmission part and change the internal gearing for first and second gears.  Lots more to do in very little time.. but it will be done..     If you are in to motorcycles both old and new, the IOM in late August is THE place to be..  Me and a bunch of Yanks are going this year.   I will meet up with pals from all over the world..!!

    There is NO time to worry about the Cancer...  :)

    Be Well All..!!

    Ron :)

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    GSRon said:

    IOM

    Hi ya TW..!  Oh my.. yes I can do my diet on the IOM.  There is a small store inside the close by gas station.. they have fresh fruit, ready made salads, and lots of cold water..  yes I will have some bad food at times..  Oh yes and the Manx Kippers... too much salt, but tasty..  I will have only one Kipper in the two weeks I will be there.   I will take some good California red wine with me, and not have any beer.   I know my Hostess will hand me a cocktail daily.. but heck just one...

    So, I am now in full race prep mode, I have less than two months to get my racer ready to ship.  The shipping details are all sorted, whew..!   Today I put on the IOM gearing and made up a new transmission part to reverse the shift pattern.  Tomorrow I will install the transmission part and change the internal gearing for first and second gears.  Lots more to do in very little time.. but it will be done..     If you are in to motorcycles both old and new, the IOM in late August is THE place to be..  Me and a bunch of Yanks are going this year.   I will meet up with pals from all over the world..!!

    There is NO time to worry about the Cancer...  :)

    Be Well All..!!

    Ron :)

    IOM

    You're a braver man than I am, Ron.  A few of my old pals from Scotland and Canada will likely be there but it's not for me. 

    I don't suppose you wear a kipper there but I imagine at times you do a bit of praying!  Remind me not to play golf there in August - at least, not to book a tee-time at TT time!

  • GSRon
    GSRon Member Posts: 1,303 Member

    IOM

    You're a braver man than I am, Ron.  A few of my old pals from Scotland and Canada will likely be there but it's not for me. 

    I don't suppose you wear a kipper there but I imagine at times you do a bit of praying!  Remind me not to play golf there in August - at least, not to book a tee-time at TT time!

    Brave - nope

    Hi ya TW... I am not so brave...  it is my bike, but it won't be me racing it there.!   I have a UK guy to do that deed, he is very good..!   Come on over and be a spectator..  I will buy you a pint or.?  Good fun..!  And yes they have several golf courses on the Isle.  Gold if not my game, but I know of a few guys that you could play with.   Guess I better get some sleep now, lots to do in the morning..

    Cheers..!!

    Ron :)