What does it mean when you have a lesion on your kidney?

A kidney mass, or tumor, is an abnormal growth in the kidney. Some kidney masses are benign (not cancerous) and some are malignant (cancerous). One in four kidney masses are benign. Smaller masses are more likely to be benign.

Is a lesion on the kidney always cancer?

Not all growths on the kidney are cancer! It is important not to confuse a potential kidney cancer with a kidney cyst or other benign lesion. Cysts are fluid filled structures that range from being “simple cysts” which are benign to more complex cysts which could be cancerous.

What is the first sign of kidney cancer?

In some cases, the first sign of kidney cancer is bloody urine, which may appear dark red, orange or pink in color. As kidney cancer progresses, it may produce other symptoms, such as: Persistent pain or pressure felt just below the ribs.

Are kidney lesions common?

Renal cysts are common and are bilateral in 9% of people over the age of 70. Ultrasound is a reliable modality for visualising most renal cysts. Simple cysts have a characteristic appearance and are benign.

What are symptoms of kidney lesions?

Kidney Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Low back pain on one side (not caused by injury)
A mass (lump) on the side or lower back.
Fatigue (tiredness)
Loss of appetite.
Weight loss not caused by dieting.
Fever that is not caused by an infection and that doesn’t go away.

What is considered a small kidney mass?

A small kidney tumor is a growth in the kidney that measures 4 cm (approximately 1.6 inches) or smaller, roughly the size of 2 nickels. The kidneys are 2 bean-shaped organs roughly the size of a fist. The kidneys filter the blood and remove toxins and extra fluid from the body by making urine.

What percentage of kidney masses are cancerous?

The odds ratio for the association of malignancy with tumor size was 1.16 (95% CI 1.11–1.22), indicating that each 1 cm increase in tumor size was associated with a 16% increase in the odds of malignancy. The percentage of benign tumors decreased from 37.5% for those less than 1 cm to 7.1% for tumors 7 cm or greater.

Is a 2.5 cm kidney cyst big?

Kidney cysts are round, have a thin, clear wall and range in size from microscopic to around 5 cm in diameter. These cysts can be associated with serious conditions that lead to impaired kidney function, but usually they are what is referred to as simple kidney cysts, which do not tend to cause complications.

Should I worry about a cyst on my kidney?

Simple kidney cysts are almost always harmless. They are called “simple” because there is very little chance they will develop into something more serious. However, some cysts do have thickened walls, may look irregular on X-rays, and could be associated with kidney cancers.

What size is considered a large renal cyst?

Renal cysts are common in old patients, and usually remain untreated. Giant renal cyst measuring more than 15 cm in diameter and containing more than 1500 mls of serous fluid are rarely seen.

What is the average size of a kidney cyst?

The average size of Stage I renal cysts are 5–10 mm in diameter, though they can be larger [4].

Is a 2 cm kidney cyst big?

In the era of CT scan however, masses are found at a much smaller size than ever before. Now, if a mass is small, less than 2 cm, up to 20-25% of such lesions may be benign. The most common benign renal mass is called an oncocytoma.

Is having a cyst on your kidney serious?

Kidney cysts can be associated with serious disorders that may impair kidney function. But more commonly, kidney cysts are a type called simple kidney cysts — noncancerous cysts that rarely cause complications.

Do kidney cysts hurt?

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 do I get rid of a cyst on my kidney?

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.

Can a cyst on your kidney cause frequent urination?

Kidney cysts can cause these symptoms: Frequent urination. Pain in the back or belly.

How do you know if a kidney cyst has ruptured?

Blood in your urine (if the cyst bursts) Pain in your upper belly or back (if the cyst bursts) Fever and chills (if the cyst becomes infected) Elevated blood pressure (if the cyst compresses the kidney)