Kidney Cysts – Symptoms and Causes
What Are Kidney Cysts?
Kidney cysts are fluid-filled, round pouches that develop on or within the kidneys. Most commonly, these are simple kidney cysts that rarely cause problems and aren’t cancerous.
They differ from cysts associated with polycystic kidney disease and from complex cysts, which require monitoring for potential cancer risks.
Simple kidney cysts may appear as single pouches on a kidney’s surface, though multiple cysts can form on one or both kidneys. The exact cause of these cysts remains unclear.
They’re often discovered by chance during imaging tests performed for other health concerns.
Types of kidney cysts:
- Simple cysts (benign, rarely problematic)
- Complex cysts (require monitoring)
- Polycystic kidney disease cysts (associated with a genetic disorder)
Most people with simple kidney cysts don’t need treatment unless symptoms develop. Healthcare providers typically only recommend intervention when cysts cause discomfort or affect kidney function.
Signs of Kidney Cysts
Simple kidney cysts often cause no symptoms at all. However, when cysts grow larger, you might notice:
- Pain in your back or side that feels dull
- Fever
- Pain in the upper part of your stomach
When You Should Contact a Doctor
If you experience any symptoms that might suggest a kidney cyst, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. Getting proper medical evaluation is important for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Causes
Scientists don’t fully understand why simple kidney cysts form. One leading theory suggests that they begin when the kidney’s outer layer weakens, creating a small pocket.
This pocket fills with fluid, eventually breaking free from the kidney surface and growing into a cyst. Simple kidney cysts are common and often don’t cause health problems.
Risk Factors
Simple kidney cysts become more common with age. While they can develop at any point in life, older people face a higher risk. Men tend to have these cysts more frequently than women.
Possible Complications
Kidney cysts sometimes cause health problems beyond just being present in the kidney. These complications can range from mild to serious and may require medical attention.
Infection of cysts can occur, leading to fever and pain. When bacteria enter a kidney cyst, the resulting infection may cause discomfort and require treatment with antibiotics.
Rupture of kidney cysts happens occasionally and causes severe pain in the back or side area. When a cyst bursts:
- Intense, sudden pain may develop
- Blood might appear in the urine
- Immediate medical care may be needed
Urine flow blockage represents another possible complication. If a cyst grows in a location that interferes with the normal path of urine, it can lead to kidney swelling. This condition, sometimes called hydronephrosis, may damage kidney tissue if not addressed.
Most simple kidney cysts don’t cause these problems. Complications typically happen when cysts grow larger or develop in certain locations within the kidney.
Healthcare providers monitor kidney cysts through imaging tests to check for these potential issues. Regular follow-up helps catch complications early when they’re easier to treat.
The risk of complications varies based on:
- Size of the cyst
- Location within the kidney
- Number of cysts present
- Whether the cysts are part of an inherited condition
People with kidney cysts should be aware of warning signs like fever, increased pain, or changes in urine appearance, which might signal one of these complications has occurred.
