Kidney lesions are areas of anomalous tissue in or on the kidneys. Lesions can be a cause for concern in some patients depending on their cause and precise location, along with how fast they grow. Some people have lesions on their kidneys and are unaware of it, while others may develop symptoms such as bloody urine, back pain, and kidney obstruction as a result of impairments in renal function caused by the lesion or lesions.
A number of different things can cause a lesion. Lesions are injuries which are characterized by the presence of tissue which does not belong or which grows abnormally. Cancers can cause lesions as can infections and trauma. Like other lesions, kidney lesions are classified as either benign or malignant. A malignant lesion is cancerous and requires treatment. A benign lesion is not cancerous, but may still cause medical complications which lead to treatment.
One reason to develop kidney lesions is because of kidney cancer, in which case a mass may be visible in the kidneys if a patient is given an ultrasound. Another reason can be chronic infections which lead to scarring and damage. This in turn can obstruct the drainage from the kidneys or interfere with kidney function in other ways. Scarring can also be caused by surgery, inflammation, and other processes which involve the kidneys.
In most cases, kidney lesions are diagnosed because a patient begins to experience symptoms and is evaluated by a doctor. Evaluation can include urinalysis to learn more about how well the kidneys are functioning as well as ultrasound, other imaging studies, and biopsy of the kidneys to take a sample of the kidney tissue. Identifying the cause of a lesion is important for determining a course of treatment, and for finding out whether or not treatment should be pursued at all. For some types of lesions, a doctor may recommend a wait and see and approach in which the lesions are monitored, but not treated.
Treatment options for kidney lesions vary, depending on why they have formed. Treatments can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, medications, or hemodialysis to replace failing or damaged kidneys. In some cases it may be necessary to remove the kidneys altogether, in which case the patient will require a transplant of at least one working kidney from a donor. Because people can survive with one kidney, sometimes it is possible to find someone who is willing to be a living donor to provide a kidney to someone who is in immediate need of one.
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anon273804
Post 9 |
My severe back pain has ended and I feel well, certainly no weight loss and my regular urine samples have been fine. I had glomerneophritus 20 years ago.
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anon268275
Post 8 |
Are there any medicines that I can use for kidney lesions? |
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anon246716
Post 7 |
My mom has been having issues with her kidneys for about two years now, and her symptoms are exactly like kidney lesions. All her tests came back negative, including the ultrasounds which we haven't been able to get hold of. What are some suggestions that we can do because she is about to give up and not do a thing. Help! |
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anon210839
Post 6 |
what size cyst is considered large and how are they rated? I have a 5.4cm cyst on my kidney. I am wondering if I need to get it checked out further.
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anon170826
Post 5 |
I recently went to the doctor because I hurt my back. From the back x ray, i went for an ultra sound and then a CT scan of my kidneys because of "kidney lesions" 3.7cm and 1.? cm - I haven't had any issues.. I had the CT scan today.. But am ready for some info. How can I have something wrong with no symptoms? Des that mean cancer? Originally I was told "a cluster of blood cells" - and sadly on the same day, my mom had a biopsy as she may have breast cancer for the second time. any thoughts on the kidney lesions? |
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anon167759
Post 4 |
I, after reading this am very concerned. I have had issues with my bladder/kidney that's been known for the past year. I have had countless UTIs and I found a ER release where I had a CT scan stating that I have multiple low density lesions on my left kidney. To this very day I suffer tremendous flank pain. |
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zenmaster
Post 3 |
@yournamehere -- Well, unfortunately kidney lesions rarely cause symptoms until they're big enough to be serious -- that's why the kidney cancer statistics are so grim.
However, there are some slightly earlier symptoms, including fatigue, weight loss, and intermittent fevers in addition to the bloody urine and back pain. |
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yournamehere
Post 2 |
Besides bloody urine and back pain, what are some of the other symptoms of kidney lesions?
I'm researching kidney cancer symptoms because my family has a history of it, and wanted to learn about the symptoms of kidney lesions, since they are often connected with cancer. |
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rallenwriter
Post 1 |
One of the most common causes of kidney lesions is renal cell carcinoma.
It usually shows up as a kidney cyst or lesion in the beginning, but then develops into cancer.
Renal cell carcinoma is considered one of the most deadly cancers that can attack the urinary system. This is partially because it occurs in the tiny tubes within the kidney, making it hard to catch early.
Renal cell carcinoma treatments are usually limited to a partial or radical nephrectomy, as it is not easily affected by either radiation or chemotherapy. |
