Kidney cysts are small in size, solid or fluid-filled sacs which develop in or on kidneys. Most people do not know about them and are unaware of their presence due to their small size. Treatments might be recommended if the cyst gets infected, presses on other organs, or becomes complex.
Different types of kidney cysts have been identified. There are two main types of kidney cysts:
- Simple Kidney Cyst: A simple kidney cyst is referred to as a round bag of thin-walled tissue or a closed pocket, which is generally filled with fluid. Inside the kidneys, one or more of these may develop. Simple cysts are the most common type of kidney cyst and most often are benign. Simple kidney cysts do not hold any relation with the more severe disease,
- Polycystic Kidney Cancer: PKD is a hereditary condition that tends to run in the family and makes a lot of cysts develop in the kidneys. This makes them swell and injures the tissue of your kidneys. Over time, the functionality of the kidneys decreases with PKD, and the disease may lead to kidney failure. At times, PKD may cause cysts in your liver or in other parts of your body.
The other cause of kidney cysts is acquired cystic kidney disease. It does not like run in the family like PKD but occurs in adult and children who have chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. It does not make your kidneys to grow bigger or lead to cysts in other parts of the body and it generally does not lead to symptoms or treatment.
Causes of Kidney Cyst
There are a number of theories proposed by doctors on how a simple kidney cyst develops. For instance, approximately a million tiny tubules are used to collect urine in each kidney. It is probable that a tube is blocked, possibly the swelling cause and being filled with fluid, leading to the growth of cysts. Another theory is that the pouches form diverticula in weakened parts of the tubes and fill with fluid.
You're more likely to have cysts in your kidneys as you get older. In the majority of cases, men are at greater risk than women of developing kidney cysts.
PKD is an inherited condition, which means it is a disorder that is caused by mutations or changes in some specific genes that have been passed down in families.
Symptoms of Kidney Cyst
Simple cysts of the kidney usually remain asymptomatic. In most cases, doctors diagnose them while carrying out other tests related to health problems that become known in the life of an individual, for example, through ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT Scan).
Sometimes, a cyst may cause symptoms either due to,
- Enlargement and compressing other organs
- Fever
- Chills
- Pain in the side, back, or upper abdomen,
- Other signs of infection
- Blood in the urine
- A block to normal blood or urine flow through the kidneys (in rare cases)
- Impaired kidney function (in rare cases)
The scientists have identified a genetic element that can associate simple kidney cysts with high blood pressure, though this is not very clear, of what the two are related with exactly.
Signs and symptoms of PKD probably include the following:
- High blood pressure
- Back or side pain
- Blood in your urine
- Headache
- Urinary tract infection
Treatment
In most cases, a simple kidney cyst does not need treatment. However, if a cyst is putting pressure on another organ or affecting the function of your kidney, one may have to undergo surgical removal. If your healthcare provider suspects that a cyst in the kidney is or could become cancerous, he or she may want to remove the cyst. There are two procedures that healthcare providers use most often to treat kidney cysts:
- Aspiration and sclerotherapy: The provider inserts a long, hollow needle through the skin to puncture the cyst and remove fluid. Sometimes, they will also inject a special solution into the cyst to make it less likely to fill up again.
- Surgery: The surgery that is done in the case of cyst removal is usually a laparoscopic surgery. Your healthcare provider inserts thin instruments in the abdomen through small incisions. During surgery, your provider drains the cyst and then cuts or burns away the outer tissue of the cyst.
Prevention of Kidney Cyst
You can't prevent a simple kidney cyst. You can only reduce your risk by:
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Make sure you don't consume excess sodium.
- Control chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension (high BP).
Discuss with your healthcare provider how you can best take care of your kidneys.
Conclusion
Most simple kidney cysts are benign and do not cause any problems. If a cyst is too large, it can be treated without any significant complications by sclerotherapy or surgery.
In the case of someone being affected by polycystic kidney disease, it is more serious. Left untreated, PKD can cause severe complications such as hypertension and kidney failure.
