Kidney cysts are small, round, thin-walled sacs filled with fluid, forming on the surface or inside the kidneys. They are often benign, asymptomatic, and do not affect kidney function if small (under 4 cm), usually discovered incidentally during an ultrasound. If a cyst grows large, it can cause symptoms such as back pain, fever, frequent urination, blood in the urine, infection, or compression affecting kidney function.
Your 27 mm kidney cyst, which is currently asymptomatic, can be monitored and does not require immediate surgery. You should have regular follow-up appointments with your doctor every 3-6 months to monitor its progression, detect if it causes symptoms, and track any potential complications.
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Dr. CKI Pham Cao Thap consults a patient at the Urology Department. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital |
Dr. CKI Pham Cao Thap consults a patient at the Urology Department. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital
Common types of kidney cysts include: simple cysts (only one cyst on one or both kidneys), multiple kidney cysts (many cysts appearing on the kidney), or inherited polycystic kidney disease (caused by gene mutations, affecting multiple organs and potentially leading to kidney failure).
The exact cause of kidney cysts is currently unknown. Risk factors increase with age, and certain medical conditions can cause kidney cysts, such as polycystic kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, Von Hippel-Lindau disease, and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).
Large kidney cysts can lead to complications such as infection, urinary tract obstruction, or more severely, cyst rupture causing bleeding around the kidney. In many cases, doctors do not require treatment. However, if a kidney cyst compresses other organs or affects kidney function, doctors will recommend aspiration or removal of the cyst cap. If cancer is suspected, surgical removal of the entire cyst is necessary.
Currently, there is no method to prevent kidney cysts. However, you can reduce the risk by maintaining a healthy lifestyle: drinking plenty of water to help kidneys function effectively, limiting excessive salt intake, avoiding stimulants, reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption, and controlling chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. People should have regular health check-ups every 6-12 months, especially those over 50 years old or with a family history of kidney disease, to ensure timely detection and treatment.
Dr. CKI Pham Cao Thap
Urology Department
Center for Urology - Nephrology - Andrology
Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM
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