Diseases & Conditions
By the way, doctor: Should I be worried about a kidney cyst?
Q. Recently, I had a pelvic ultrasound to evaluate uterine fibroids. During the procedure, the radiologist found a kidney cyst. Should I be concerned about kidney cancer?
A. Kidney (or renal) cysts are small, fluid-filled sacs in the kidneys; they're usually harmless and rarely cause symptoms. Kidney cysts are quite common, and many people have them without knowing it. The likelihood of having one or more cysts increases with age — from 5% of people in their 30s to more than 36% of those in their 70s. In most cases, cysts are discovered incidentally during an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scan for some other health reason.
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About the Author
Celeste Robb-Nicholson, MD, Contributor
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