Is this Cancer?

[stiggs]

Hi, I am a 43 year old male with pain in lower left and upper right side and in low back.  I had ultrsound that showed irregularities in left kidney and liver.  A week later I had a CT scan with and without contrast.  My GP called to say he wants me to see an urologist as he see's multiple cysts on left kidney.  I have had a colonosopy and they found a very small non cancerous poloyp and removed it.  Here are several symptoms I have been having for 6 months.  1. Pain in lower left and upper right of sides.  2. Fatigue.  3. Back pain.  4. Occasional sweats.  5. Low energy while exercising such as shakiness alike low blood sugar.  6.  Tingling numbness in left hand.  7. Loss of appetite.  8.  Floating stools and changes in shape-narrow. My blood work was done as well.  The only abnormal results were CL was 108 mmol/L, Cholesterol 212 mg/dl, Trigleceride 187 mg/dl and LDL 130 mg/dl.  My question is:  Why am I seeing an urologist?  Is it cancer?  Or something else?
any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[Stephen Liroff, MD]

The third line of the Vattikuti disclaimer is wrong and should read: "Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical  condition."
S.A.Liroff, M.D.

[Stephen Liroff, MD]

Cysts are usually not associated with cancer and do not degenerate into cancer. CAT scans are quite accurate in differentiating cancer and those cysts which do contain cancer from straightforward cysts. Obstruction of the blood supply to the kidney or the urinary drainage of the kidney is extremely unlikely. Cysts can cause pain (rarely) and those that do are related to polycystic renal disease. I would guess that your symptoms are not related to your kidneys.
S.A.Liroff, M.D.


This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. It
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Henry Ford  Hospital  or the
Vattikuti Urologic Institute.  Please consult your physician for diagnosticDiagnostic laparoscopy
and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical  condition.

[stiggs]

To follow up on my questions.  I just recieved some answers from my GP about the cysts on my left kidney.  He says his concern is the possiblities of the cysts swelling or blocking off the renal supply.  He also states that he does not believe it to be PKD becuase its mainly involved in my left kidney.  He is not ruling out cancer though and this worries me.  Any information you can give would be great.

Worried