Should I Worry About Simple Renal Cysts

Simple renal cysts are common cystic disease in the kidneys. There can be single or several cysts affecting unilateral or bilateral kidneys.

Cysts in the kidneys can be generally divided into 2 major categories---simple kidney cyst and complex kidney cysts according to the appearance, structure and content.

The wall of simple renal cysts are fine and thin. It has no irregularities inside the cyst and the content is nothing but clear or yellowish fluid. Compared with simple renal cysts, complex renal cysts usually contain some kind of irregularities in the cysts like septations, calcification or blood.

Complex renal cysts have some risk of cancerization, while the risk in simple renal cysts is very low (1%) especially in case of cystic bleeding, therefore patients should take regular examinations every 6 to 12 months to have close monitoring of the growth condition and rule out the possibility of cancerization. CT scan can be done to assess its risk of cancerization.

Simple kidney cyst can be said to be the most common renal abnormality. It can occur to any age, but the majority of patients are above their 50s and therefore the disease is often considered to be natural change due to aging.

Most simple renal cysts are benign. If the risk of cancerization is ruled out and no symptoms or discomforts are caused, usually doctors will order no special treatment or medicines besides follow-up checks after 3-6 months.

Most simple cysts in the kidneys are found by accident in physical examinations and patients should not worry about it. Even when the cysts begin to cause symptoms, patients should not be too worried because there are many treatment available and the prognosis is good with early and proper treatments.

In a word, just take it easy once being diagnosed with simple renal cysts. The first step is to take CT scan to rule out the possibility of cancerization (the risk is very low) and ask for doctors' advices about healthy life habits to slow down its growth rate (for example giving up smoking, do not drink alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks, do not eat spicy and stimulating sea foods, etc).

Have a peaceful and relaxed mood and do not worry too much. Adhere to healthy lifestyle and have regular examinations. That is all! There are very few people who do not develop renal cysts when they are older than 70s and many people can even go through their entire life without kidney cysts affecting their normal daily activities. There is no need and no use to worry and worry can do noting but worsen the illness conditions.