Complex Renal Cyst

Melanna

Hello All,

I found this board a couple months ago when my dad was suddenly diagnosed with a mass on his kidney the size of a baseball. He had a nephrectomy and has been doing well since (pathology was RCC). I have been working to take care of my own body to ensure that if he ever needed a kidney, I would have one to spare. Well, after a recent ultrasound of my abdomen, it seems I have a multiloculated multiseptated cystic structure in the lower pole of the left kidney. It’s about 4x4x4. I’m in my 30’s, so a bit of a shock. I have a CT scheduled in two days, so now just a waiting game. Reading all of your experiences has been so helpful! What a great board for information and support! Thank you! ☺️

monnocco

Hi Melanna, I am so sorry to hear about the results of your ultrasound. Unfortunately, it hasn't been news that younger people are being diagnosed with something like this. But you know what? It is not a big cystic structure and there are exams that they need to keep doing to actually diagnosed. In the case of something bad, it is very small and you will be ok.

Regarding this forum, yes! it is a great place to talk to people who have gone thru similar experiences and, at least for me, it gave me so much peace of mind when I was going thru my own experience.

Please always comes back and update us on what the doctor says.

*hug

Melanna

@monnocco

Thank you so much for the reply. I had my CT scan and they classified it was Bosniak 3 (which I already figured). They measured it smaller than on the ultrasound, so we are down to 3.3cm. It had with multiple thickened irregular enhancing septa but no enhancing soft tissue component (which is promising). I am scheduled with my urologist in less than a week, I’m preparing my mind that I will likely have a partial. I am a planner, and most of my anxiety is simply about the unknown (taking time off for work, getting things scheduled and so forth).

I appreciated the kind words more than you know, reading the stories in the forum has been so reassuring and has helped me to feel a small sense of control.

monnocco

you will rock this experience! Keep us posted!

Melanna

Had my appointment with the urologist oncologist. The reading of my CT scan was a bit different. They measure it at 3.9x3.4cm and said at least Bosniak 3. The plan is surgery and they are going to try to save as much of the kidney as possible. Unfortunately the mass extends into the renal sinus, so she explained that can be complicated due to the amount of blood vessels. Also, if the areas around the mass look suspicious I might lose the whole thing. Feeling a little bummed because I hoped it was going to be like getting a mole removed and I might just lose a tiny bit of the kidney, but still glad it was found early.

Deanie0916

Hi Melanna, so sorry. Monnoco is right, you are going to do great! Let us know how things go.

Melanna

Thank you so much! It’s anxiety provoking to make the choice to have a partial so young, it feels like such a coin toss since I cannot know if it is cancer until it’s removed. I do think it’s the right choice after reading similar journeys (as I believe the wait and see approach would end with the same outcome).