Kidney Cyst Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Kidney Cyst Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments 

Kidney cysts are a common occurrence, even more so in older people. According to statistics, about 50% of people over the age of 50 get kidney cysts. In this article, we will discuss the various aspects of different types of cysts in the kidney for instance, the cortical cyst in kidney. Read on to know more.

What is Cyst in Kidney?

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.
• Cortical Cysts: Cortical cyst in kidney occur more in older people and do not really cause any harm or symptoms. In the more rare cases, they cause bleeding, infection and enlargement.

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.

Also Read: Kidney Infection Symptoms 

Other Types of Genetic and Non-Genetic Kidney Cysts

Here is a list of some other types of genetic and nongenetic kidney cysts that also affect common people: 

Glomerulocystic Kidney Disease

This kind of kidney disease is caused by the enlargement of cysts. These cysts create a gap near the region of a person's urinary tract. It is a very rare form of cyst but does affect both infants and adults.

Nephronophthisis

Unlike cortical cysts in the kidney, these cysts occur in the inner part of the kidneys and lead to scarring and inflammation of tubes, which play the role of filtering kidney waste. 

Medullary Sponge Kidney

The Medullary Sponge kidney cysts occur in the innermost part of a person's kidney and block the tubes which function in filtering waste. They are very rare. 

Medullary Cystic Kidney Disease

This type of kidney cyst occurs in the inner part of the kidneys. They lead to inflammation and scarring of tubes, which work on filtering our kidney waste.

Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease

In this condition, the cysts develop over a period of time and lead to the failure of the kidneys. In the more rare cases, cysts could turn cancerous. 

Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney

It is one of the more common conditions that affect one or two kidneys and do not develop properly in the region of the uterus. These kinds of cysts replace the normal tissue of kidneys. 

Kidney Cyst Causes

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.

Also Read: Kidney Stone Types Causes Symptoms

Factors That Increase Risk of Kidney Cysts

Here is a list of some factors which increase the risk of getting cortical cyst in kidney, along with other types as well: 

Role of Genetics

Genetics actually play a very important role in the development of kidney cysts. The most common type of kidney cyst, ADPKD (Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease), is caused by genetic mutations. 

Underlying Health Conditions

Kidney Cysts can also occur as a result of other underlying health conditions like - high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, etc. 

Age of a Person

The age of a person is also a major factor that affects the likelihood of developing kidney cysts. For instance, people over the age of 50 are more likely to get kidney cysts. 

Gender

Men are more likely to get kidney cysts than women, as the occurrence of simple kidney cysts is more common in men. This also increases with age.

Kidney Cyst Symptoms

Let's discuss kidney cyst symptoms. 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

Also Read: Kidney Failure Symptoms

Kidney Cyst 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: Let's discuss the kidney cyst removal. 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.
• Laser Therapy: This form of therapy is widely used in treating kidney cysts. The procedure is well suited for individuals who prefer a minimally invasive procedure. In this form of therapy, a laser is used to remove or break up stones and cysts in the kidneys. For example, cortical cysts in the kidney can be cured with effective laser therapy.
• Lifestyle Modification: Lifestyle modifications mainly focus on making an affected person lead a healthy weight and reduce their salt intake. They are also required to drink an adequate amount of water every day, along with exercise. Managing diet and blood pressure also becomes necessary to eradicate kidney cysts. 
• Gene Therapy: Gene therapy is meant for kidney cysts, is experimental in nature, and is not really widely practised. In this form of therapy, a mutated alternative of PKD1 and PKD2 is introduced, which slows down and halts the cysts of ADPKD (Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease) from spreading.

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. Whether it is cortical cyst in kidney or any other type, you need to get it checked immediately. 

Conclusion

What size of kidney cyst is dangerous? 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.

Exophytic kidney cyst treatment depends on the size of the cyst and if it's causing symptoms. A cortical cyst in the kidney gets formed in the renal cortex, the outer part of the kidney. Complex kidney cysts are solid, irregularly shaped, or have a thick outer wall.  A 10 cm cyst on kidney is considered large size and needs treatment. Kidney cyst symptoms in females include pain, blood in urine, etc.

Polycystic kidney disease symptoms include headaches, pain in the back and sides, etc. 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.