New and need help.

glh1980 · July 2015

Hi, I'm new. I have been debating on posting because I have not yet been diagnosed. I didn't want to step on any toes by posting. I would really appreciate any help from anyone. I am really scared so your help would be greatly appreciated.

Here's my story.

On June 26th I went to the ER because of a terrible abdominal pain located on the left side. I feared it was an ovarian cyst. An ultrasound revealed a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst. I returned to the ER with worsening symptoms on July 3rd. Another ultrasound and a CT scan. The cyst had enlarged and that was why I was having worsening pain. The CT scan revealed a possibe hemorrhagic cyst on my left kidney. I was advised to follow up with my PCP and get a renal ultrasound. I did follow up and told that I would be fine. I was given the slip to get the renal ultrasound. I had that done on Wednesday July 8th. The next morning I get a call from my PCP that the cyst was not hemorrhagic and it was complex and I needed to see a specialist. I picked up the report as well as a referal. Reading the report I discovered I have a simple cyst on the right kidney which I know I don't need to worry about. However, I have two complex cysts on the left kidney. Below is the report.

The RIGHT kidney measures 104 x 48 x 50 mm. Renal echotexture is normal. There is an 11 x 10 x 13 mm cyst within the lower pole. There are 2 echogenic foci withn the lower pole, one measuring 6 x 3 x 6 mm and the other measuring 4 x 4 x 8 mm compatible with calculi. There is no hydronephrosis.

The LEFT kidney measures 112 x 53 x 51 mm. Renal echoexture is normal. Within the upper pole there is a hypoechoic lesion measuring 14 x 13 x 13 mm containing internal echoes. No vascularity seen on color images. There is a similar-appearing hypoechoc lesion within the interpolar region measuring 10 x 13 x 12 mm. They could reflect complex cysts, although the possibility of solid masses is difficult to fully exclude on this study. There is no hydronephrosis.

I'm very nervous. I do understand that these are small which is good. However, the fact that there are two scares me. I'm only 34 and I understand from my research that simple cysts are common once you reach your 40's and 50's. I know the one on the right is nothing to worry about. Is there anything that you guys can tell me about these types of cysts/lesions? I was able to get an appointment for Tuesday with my urologist. He was kind enough to stick me in when there were no appointments available. I just want to know what I'm dealing with and maybe what I should be asking him. And what your experiences are with this.

If you have read this far, thank you so much!

cheatinlil · July 2015

I'm sorry you are here.

I'm sorry you are here. Sometimes the waiting is the hardest part. I'm going to give you advise that I need to hear right now. Try and find joy today and be present in this moment of life. Tomorrow will be here and the next day will come and the answers will be revealed in time. Easier said than done. You are not alone. We are all here for you.

APny · July 2015

cheatinlil said:
I'm sorry you are here.
I'm sorry you are here. Sometimes the waiting is the hardest part. I'm going to give you advise that I need to hear right now. Try and find joy today and be present in this moment of life. Tomorrow will be here and the next day will come and the answers will be revealed in time. Easier said than done. You are not alone. We are all here for you.

You will never step on any

You will never step on any toes here so I'm glad you posted. When we're scared and nervous it's good to reach out to others. Until they fully diagnose what they are, it's difficult to say anything. Do you have an appointment with a kidney specialist? If possible, go see the most experienced one at the best hospital possible. Often the approach and the procedure to deal with these things depends on the doctor and the facility. Even after you see one, get a second opinion. Complex systs also may have to be removed so surgery is a possibility. I know it's easy to say but try to relax a bit and not think the worst until you see the specialist. Wishing you the best!

icemantoo · July 2015

APny said:
You will never step on any
You will never step on any toes here so I'm glad you posted. When we're scared and nervous it's good to reach out to others. Until they fully diagnose what they are, it's difficult to say anything. Do you have an appointment with a kidney specialist? If possible, go see the most experienced one at the best hospital possible. Often the approach and the procedure to deal with these things depends on the doctor and the facility. Even after you see one, get a second opinion. Complex systs also may have to be removed so surgery is a possibility. I know it's easy to say but try to relax a bit and not think the worst until you see the specialist. Wishing you the best!

Small is good.

glh1980,

You do not have Kidney cancer yet and hopefully will not. I suspect that the Urologist you are meeting with will order a CT scan which is much better at defining the nature of a cyst or cysts on a Kidney than an Ultrasound. It is also possable that the cysts in question are too small to be defined (and hopefully will stay that way) and that you will have follow up scans down the road (the watch and wait approach). Hopefully these very small cysts on the kidneys will turn out to be nothing. If one or more cysts require removal down the road we are here to help you. Hopefully you will not need our help. If (and you are not there yet) they do turn out to be Kidney Cancer they are small enough that they can be dealt with sucessfully. Sorry those other issues are above my paygrade.

Icemantoo

APny · July 2015

icemantoo said:
Small is good.
glh1980,

You do not have Kidney cancer yet and hopefully will not. I suspect that the Urologist you are meeting with will order a CT scan which is much better at defining the nature of a cyst or cysts on a Kidney than an Ultrasound. It is also possable that the cysts in question are too small to be defined (and hopefully will stay that way) and that you will have follow up scans down the road (the watch and wait approach). Hopefully these very small cysts on the kidneys will turn out to be nothing. If one or more cysts require removal down the road we are here to help you. Hopefully you will not need our help. If (and you are not there yet) they do turn out to be Kidney Cancer they are small enough that they can be dealt with sucessfully. Sorry those other issues are above my paygrade.

Icemantoo

As I understand she did have

As I understand she did have a CT scan, then an US. What she needs is someone who can identify what it is. CT scan said one thing; US another. Hopefully the kidney specialist will be able to determine for sure.

foxhd · July 2015

APny said:
As I understand she did have
As I understand she did have a CT scan, then an US. What she needs is someone who can identify what it is. CT scan said one thing; US another. Hopefully the kidney specialist will be able to determine for sure.

cysts

are fluid filled spaces. Tumors are solid with vascularity. Most of us have cysts somewhere. Not a big deal. Get your follow up tests. Don't prepare for the worst.

Allochka · July 2015

foxhd said:
cysts
are fluid filled spaces. Tumors are solid with vascularity. Most of us have cysts somewhere. Not a big deal. Get your follow up tests. Don't prepare for the worst.

Very good that it is not said

Very good that it is not said that these are masses. Very good that no vascularity. So far it sounds like cysts, docs just want to be on the safe side.

i hope you'll never be diagnosed with kidney cancer. Please stay away from Google before your appointment, otherwise it is easy to drive yourself crazy.

good luck, those do sound like cysts!

jason.2835 · July 2015

Small = Good

GLH,

Remember that no matter what the deal is, it is a good thing that the anomalies are small. Kidney cysts are a fairly common occurrence, but do you know if anyone in your family has a history? Kidney cysts and cancers on both kidneys tend to have a genetic component to them. It is disconcerting that you have issues with both kidneys, I know. But keep calm and listen to your doctors. And make sure someone who knows that they are talking about looks at the CT results.

- Jay

glh1980 · July 2015

jason.2835 said:
Small = Good
GLH,

Remember that no matter what the deal is, it is a good thing that the anomalies are small. Kidney cysts are a fairly common occurrence, but do you know if anyone in your family has a history? Kidney cysts and cancers on both kidneys tend to have a genetic component to them. It is disconcerting that you have issues with both kidneys, I know. But keep calm and listen to your doctors. And make sure someone who knows that they are talking about looks at the CT results.

- Jay

Thank you. I do not know

Thank you. I do not know anyone in my family or have heard of anyone that has had this before. I have an appointment with the Urologist tomorrow and I'm working on an appointment with the Nephrologist. Right now their earilest appointment is mid-September. That seems like a really long time.

Jojo61 · July 2015

glh1980 said:
Thank you. I do not know
Thank you. I do not know anyone in my family or have heard of anyone that has had this before. I have an appointment with the Urologist tomorrow and I'm working on an appointment with the Nephrologist. Right now their earilest appointment is mid-September. That seems like a really long time.

Hi GLH
I am sorry that you

Hi GLH

I am sorry that you have had this scare. But this is a really great place to find support and knowledge.

You already received some great advice here, I don't need to repeat it. But I just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and hoping for the best possible outcome.

Please keep us posted!

Hugs

Jojo

Galrim · July 2015

foxhd said:
cysts
are fluid filled spaces. Tumors are solid with vascularity. Most of us have cysts somewhere. Not a big deal. Get your follow up tests. Don't prepare for the worst.

Fox +1 and...

...take note of the echo description from the US. RCC normally present itself as having no echo from the mass.

/G

New and need help.

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