Are Renal Cysts Dangerous?

Simple kidney cysts are almost always harmless. They are called "simple" because there is very little chance they will develop into something more serious. However, some cysts do have thickened walls, may look irregular on X-rays, and could be associated with kidney cancers.

Can a cyst on the kidney turn into cancer?

Not all growths on the kidney are cancer! It is important not to confuse a potential kidney cancer with a kidney cyst or other benign lesion. Cysts are fluid filled structures that range from being "simple cysts" which are benign to more complex cysts which could be cancerous.

Is it normal to have a renal cyst?

Renal cysts become fairly common as people age and usually do not cause symptoms or harm. Because they rarely cause symptoms, renal cysts are most often found during imaging tests performed for other reasons. Some renal cysts may appear more complex and have a thicker wall or contain solid material instead of fluid.