What are Kidney Cysts?Kidney cysts (also called renal cyst) are oval shaped or round thin-walled sacs or pouches on the kidneys that usually contain liquid or semisolid material. They vary widely in size, but most are usually small. They are sometimes so small that they can only be seen clearly under a microscope. Some are present at birth, and others are caused by tubular obstructions. Characteristics of cyst on kidneyMost cysts on the Kidneys are almost always benign (not cancer). They are quite common, especially in older people. Up to 40% or more of people over the age of 50 years old have cyst on their kidneys. Usually, the cysts do not cause any problems. In fact, people can go through life without even knowing that they have them.Symptoms of kidney cystSymptoms are rare... if the kidneys are otherwise normal, there are usually no symptoms. In rare cases, however, if the cyst is unusually large, symptoms may include back pain, abdominal pain or blood in the urine. Occasionally, infections can occur, causing pain when passing urine, or fever, sweats and pain in the back.TREATMENTTreatment is not usually required. Antibiotics are used, if a cyst becomes infected. Sometimes these are hard to treat, requiring long courses of antibiotics.If the cyst is unusually large it could impair kidney function and lead to kidney failure. A physician may choose to collapse or decompress a large Kidney cyst. This is done by inserting a needle, guided by ultrasound or x-rays, through the skin and into the cyst. This procedure requires some local anaesthetic to dull the pain. In extreme cases, particularly if severe infection has cause irreversible damage, the whole kidney can be removed by an operation. The patient is still able to lead a normal healthy life, if the other kidney is healthy. Kidney cyst is not usually considered a serious kidney disease. In most cases it creates no problems and requires no treatment. This, however, is not the case where multiple cysts develop on the kidneys. This condition is known as polycystic kidney disease and is much more complicated and serious. From kidney Cysts to HOME PAGE
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