A cyst on the kidney is not always a serious condition. However, it may be necessary to perform surgery to remove it. Surgical treatment involves the use of a laparoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a lighted video camera on one end. It is performed under general anesthesia and involves the use of an incision in the abdominal cavity to examine the bodily organs. The treatment is minimally invasive, and patients often recover faster.

Simple kidney cysts are not serious conditions and usually do not cause any symptoms. They are fluid-filled sacs that do not affect the kidney’s function. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs found beneath the ribcage, one on each side of the spine. These organs filter a large amount of blood each day and regulate its fluid, salts, and electrolytes. These organs then release waste through urine.

While many simple kidney cysts are harmless, more serious cases require medical attention. Some of these cysts are a sign of a disease called polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which can cause the kidneys to enlarge. In severe cases, it can even lead to kidney failure. But if you have a cyst on your kidney, it’s worth seeing a doctor. They can help you manage the symptoms and treat the condition.

While simple cysts are harmless, some may be cancerous. A biopsy can help you determine the severity and type of cancer. A biopsy can also help doctors diagnose the exact cause of the cyst. If your cyst is not cancerous, you can still get it removed. However, if you’re worried, you should schedule an MRI as soon as possible. If it has spread to your kidney, a biopsy may be necessary.

MRI and CT scans are usually not necessary for diagnosis. However, if your cyst has calcifications, it may be malignant. Imaging follow-up is necessary to rule out malignancy. If a cyst has multiple septa, it may be a sign of kidney cancer. However, size doesn’t predict whether it is benign or malignant. A larger cyst may be benign, while a smaller one may be malignant.

While simple kidney cysts don’t require treatment, they can lead to complications over time. If you don’t experience symptoms, your doctor may recommend removing the cyst with surgery. If the cyst has complications, you may need to take medications to control high blood pressure, antibiotics for kidney infections, or even dialysis if the kidneys are failing. If the cyst is large enough, surgery may be necessary to remove it.

Differentiating between benign and malignant renal cysts is not easy, but the following tips can help you identify the right one. The first step is to determine whether your cyst is simple or multifocal. A simple renal cyst is easy to identify on imaging, while a complex cyst is difficult to distinguish. Moreover, the cyst will usually be larger than its neighboring kidneys. Your doctor will use an ultrasound to differentiate a cyst on kidney from a malignant one.