Diagnosed Complex Kidney Cyst Stage II

palmersfour

Yesterday I saw my doctor for the results of my recent CTScan. He said I have a cyst in each kidney. They are both under 2cm. and both are calcified a small degree. About 10 months ago, I had nothing on either kidney.

My doctor wants me to wait 6 months to do another CTScan. He says when it gets worse, they will do something!??? This has me troubled. Why would I wait for it to get worse? Any advice is welcome. I don't know what to do...wait or find another doctor?

icemantoo

Get a second opinion

A lot of quedtions. Does it have the characteristics of Cancer? The Stage II sounds like the Cyst not a Stage of Cancer. At 2 cm. they are very small and may or may not turn into something.

The overall concern is that you have one in each Kidney which alone may require a different approach. Because of this I would want to get a second opinion immeadeately and from a real expert or top Kidney Doctor like at a Medical school or top hospital. Do not wait untill they grow for this second opinion as the smaller they are the more options that are available.

Where are you located so that others may chime in with their suggestions.

 

Icemantoo

icemantoo

Another thought

Is your Doctor a Kidney Surgeon? If not you must see a Kidney Surgeon first who usually is a Urologist specializing  in Kidney Cancer.

I did a little googling on small stage II kidney Cysts. While watch and wait is a recognized approach I reiterate seeking a second opinion because you have one on each kidney.

 

 

Icemantoo

hardo718

I agree with Iceman

Seek a second opinion but make sure it's with a specialist.  Don't be fooled by it being a "cyst".  Mine was a complex cyst & was cancer. 

The good news is they are small & typically slow growing.  

Keep us posted on further findings & best wishes to you.

Donna~

palmersfour

icemantoo said:

Get a second opinion

A lot of quedtions. Does it have the characteristics of Cancer? The Stage II sounds like the Cyst not a Stage of Cancer. At 2 cm. they are very small and may or may not turn into something.

The overall concern is that you have one in each Kidney which alone may require a different approach. Because of this I would want to get a second opinion immeadeately and from a real expert or top Kidney Doctor like at a Medical school or top hospital. Do not wait untill they grow for this second opinion as the smaller they are the more options that are available.

Where are you located so that others may chime in with their suggestions.

 

Icemantoo

Radiology Report

The doctor is a kidney specialist in a small town. Campbellsville, KY.  Has good and bad reviews. Has misdiagnosed one person I know with cancer...didn't have cancer. And another, he said wait and it was almost too late for her. So I am definitely getting another opinion. Below is the report. Today was the first time I read it. He never said anything about finding anything but two cysts. This concerns me. I don't want to sound like a big baby, but I would rather catch it now rather than later. 

 As mentioned on the prior exam there is slight malrotation of the right kidney. There is
evidence of a smooth cystic structure measuring 1.72 cm in diameter and on the unenhanced
exam showing some very minimal calcification along the border. The margins of the cyst are
very smooth.

 The left kidney shows a cyst along the superior medial aspect of the left kidney which
measures approximately 1.3 cm in diameter. Smooth margins are noted with no evidence of
calcification.

 There is a 1 cm cyst in the midpole of the left kidney which has minimal calcification in
the rim and slightly irregular rim. There are at least 3 other areas of decreased
attenuation less than 4 mm diameter and too small to characterize but having no
calcification or significant enhancement. The punctate calcification over the upper pole
of the left kidney is not demonstrated well on these exams due to overlying contrast.
These could represent nonobstructing nephrolithiasis.

 

icemantoo

Seek an Opinion higher up the food chain

So far it looks early in the process. However the ultimate diagnosis is above  my paygrade and may not be immeadiately discernable. There may in fact be further  testing even with another opinion.  Looks like you don't have Cancer yet. Even if Cancer the outcome looks good especially if it only shows malignancy in one Kidney. Find a top Kidney doctor for that second opinion. For what it is worth I was nephed 14 years ago with a 4.2 cm tumor  and continue to have a harmless 9 mm cyst in the other kidney which is behaving itself. May the force be with you.

 

Icemantoo

 

 

hardo718

palmersfour said:

Radiology Report

The doctor is a kidney specialist in a small town. Campbellsville, KY.  Has good and bad reviews. Has misdiagnosed one person I know with cancer...didn't have cancer. And another, he said wait and it was almost too late for her. So I am definitely getting another opinion. Below is the report. Today was the first time I read it. He never said anything about finding anything but two cysts. This concerns me. I don't want to sound like a big baby, but I would rather catch it now rather than later. 

 As mentioned on the prior exam there is slight malrotation of the right kidney. There is
evidence of a smooth cystic structure measuring 1.72 cm in diameter and on the unenhanced
exam showing some very minimal calcification along the border. The margins of the cyst are
very smooth.

 The left kidney shows a cyst along the superior medial aspect of the left kidney which
measures approximately 1.3 cm in diameter. Smooth margins are noted with no evidence of
calcification.

 There is a 1 cm cyst in the midpole of the left kidney which has minimal calcification in
the rim and slightly irregular rim. There are at least 3 other areas of decreased
attenuation less than 4 mm diameter and too small to characterize but having no
calcification or significant enhancement. The punctate calcification over the upper pole
of the left kidney is not demonstrated well on these exams due to overlying contrast.
These could represent nonobstructing nephrolithiasis.

 

My understanding of cysts

Is simply that the smooth ones aren't typically of concern.  But, I'm not a doctor and maybe others have a different understanding and will chime in.  I'd still get another opinion but those are very small cysts at this point.

Donna~

medic1971

Going to echo

I'm going to echo what everyone else is saying, get a second opinion from a urologist who is very experienced in this arena.  

Reading your report I see a few things that stand out, in a good way

1. No significant enhancement

2. They are small, very small

3. Even if this doctor is not very good a radiologist read the report, not him

When you say stage II I suspect you mean Bosniak 2 classification system?  If so please see below:

Bosniak 2

minimally complex

a few thin <1 mm septa or thin calcifications (thickness not measurable); non-enhancing high-attenuation (due to proteinaceous or hemorrhagic contents) renal lesions of less than 3 cm are also included in this category; these lesions are generally well marinated

work-up: nil

percentage malignant: ~0%

If you don't mind me asking why did you have a CT scan?  Do you have a history of kidney stones?  

Jason

palmersfour

medic1971 said:

Going to echo

I'm going to echo what everyone else is saying, get a second opinion from a urologist who is very experienced in this arena.  

Reading your report I see a few things that stand out, in a good way

1. No significant enhancement

2. They are small, very small

3. Even if this doctor is not very good a radiologist read the report, not him

When you say stage II I suspect you mean Bosniak 2 classification system?  If so please see below:

Bosniak 2

minimally complex

a few thin <1 mm septa or thin calcifications (thickness not measurable); non-enhancing high-attenuation (due to proteinaceous or hemorrhagic contents) renal lesions of less than 3 cm are also included in this category; these lesions are generally well marinated

work-up: nil

percentage malignant: ~0%

If you don't mind me asking why did you have a CT scan?  Do you have a history of kidney stones?  

Jason

Jason,,

Jason,,

Yes, I have had kidney stones for the last 7 years. In that time, I've had about 40 stones. I hadn't had a stone for about 6 months. Then, 10 months ago I had a stone that was bigger than a quarter. I started having pain a few months ago. Some blood in my urine. Didn't go to the Dr thinking I was just passing stones. The Dr ordered a CTScan, then an ultrasound and then another CT with contrast. No stones, but the cysts. He was concerned and sent me to my urologist. Wasn't really worried until Dr. said we would worry about cutting things out when it gets bigger.

icemantoo

Bedside manner

palmersfour,

Not that your Urologist did or said anything wrong, but he could have said we are just going to watch it for awhile without getting into whether they may yank it out in the future. Again you do not appear to have Kidney Cancer yet, but get a second opinion just because it may be in both kidneys down the road.

 

Icemantoo

Jan4you

Glad you came to this site

Glad you came to this site for information and support. But when you mentioned that they margins are smooth, it reminded me of when my Urtologist/surgeon showed me the difference between my cyst  which was enhanced with smooth margins and the neoplasms which had ragged edged margins. For what that is worth. And the size you describe is small=a good thing.

So get another opinion and let us know, if you like, how things are going. We'll be here for you!

Warmly, Jan

palmersfour

Thank you all.

Thank you to each and every one of you. You have helped me so much.

After my consultation, he had me thinking that he knew it was going to get bad and that he just wanted to watch and see. I was a wreck. I am going to seek another opinion. It won't hurt. And I talked to my primary care and we are going to recheck in 4 months not 6.  I'm sure it is all going to be fine. 

My prayers are with each of you. 

Belinda