Overview
Renal cysts are fluid-filled growths that form on the kidneys and are generally non-cancerous. Usually, only one cyst appears on the surface of the kidney, but multiple cysts may occur. Simple kidney cysts are different from those that occur with polycystic kidney disease.
Symptoms
Some cysts don’t cause symptoms. However, they tend to cause discomfort when they grow larger. Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Upper abdominal pain
- Dull pain in the side or back
Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects you have a kidney cyst, they will order imaging tests such as an ultrasound, CT, and/or MRI scan. They may order a blood test to check for kidney function by measuring the levels of certain substances in the blood.
Treatment
If your cyst is small and not causing symptoms, it won’t require treatment. If it’s causing symptoms, treatment involves surgically removing or draining the cyst.
