Reversing Renal Cysts
You recently had a doctor’s appointment. You underwent a CT scan and it was discovered that you have renal cysts.
Renal cysts or kidney cysts are very common. They are essentially tubules of the kidney which have become blocked and dilated over time and then fill with fluid.
Renal cysts are classified into one of five categories. Category 1and 2 cysts are almost certainly non-cancerous and pose no health threat.
Category 4 and 5 cysts require surgical removal of the kidney due to the potential for malignancy. In some cases removal of the lesion alone can be done, but the risks are higher. Class 3 cysts pose a diagnostic dilemma, and a percutaneous biopsy might be obtained.
There are some special cases of renal cystic disease such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and multicystic kidney disease.
Both of these are more serious. PKD is an inherited disorder in which multiple cysts form in both kidneys and grow to sizes that damage the normally functioning tissue, resulting in renal failure.
In PKD patients it is very important to control blood pressure and avoid agents that can damage kidneys so as to postpone the date at which dialysis or transplant would be needed.
Sometimes people will develop cysts of large size and location that the cyst becomes uncomfortable. They may have difficulty taking a deep breath, bending over to tie their shoes or they have pain in their side.
In these cases, it might be beneficial to undergo surgery for relief. About 60 percent of people who have PKD develop end-stage renal disease because of the cysts, some of which grow as big as a softball. The cysts interfere with the kidneys’ job of separating water and waste.
These cysts are more common as you age. They are more common in men than in women. They arise from diverticula (outpourings) in the kidney’s collecting tubule. Obstruction of the tubule, such as by a stone, may predispose to them, too, but it is certainly not necessary for a stone to develop a kidney cyst.
Once it is clear that the cyst isn’t cancerous (rare), it can be left alone, or sometimes may require a follow-up scan to be sure the cyst is stable.
The kidneys filter small- and medium-sized waste products from the blood and help regulate the salt and water balance. Bacteria shouldn’t be in the blood for more than a few minutes (bacteria sometimes come through the body’s defenses, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth all the way to the end).
Renal cysts are diagnosed by accident, usually when you’re consulting your physician about another condition. A CT scan, ultrasound or MRI can be used to show images of these cysts.
Most simple renal cysts don’t require treatment. But if a cyst is pressing on an organ or is affecting the way your kidney works, then it might be necessary to shrink or remove the cyst. There are two methods used to remove the cyst: Aspiration and sclerotherapy and surgery. In aspiration and sclerotherapy, your doctor will insert a long needle under the skin to puncture the cyst and drain the fluid. A strong solution is then injected into the cyst to shrink it.
In surgery, the procedure is done laparoscopically, using thin instruments that are inserted into small holes in the abdomen. The cyst is first drained of fluid and then the cyst is cut or burned away.
Keep in mind that renal cysts are almost always harmless. If you do require treatment, it is effective and with few complications. If you suspect you have a renal cyst, consult your physician as soon as possible.
