Kidney Cysts

[bmwmike]

Hello

Does anyone know about kidney cysts?

Had a CT scan for an odd kidney-like back ache that lasted months, and they found the following, but the (private) urologist is saying they are not causing problems and are incidental finding. Also, was told they are not the polycystic type of cyst (thankfully).

Left side 2 or 3 parapelvic cysts largest around 6 cm
Right side 2 or 3 parapelvic cysts largest 4 to 5 cm.

They seem rather large to me, late 40's male, but he (the urologist) says nothing to worry about. Ordinarily i'd take a consultant as the expert and move on, and the pain/ache has since gone too, but this forum often has good advice so i thought i'd ask here.

Thanks

[Brainpox]

Not a dr but simple cysts are nothing to worry about unless they become so big or there are so many that they stop the organ they are attached to functioning normally, or push other things out of the way so much that they stop working. They won't turn into a cancer.

Many people will have a cyst of some description on their liver or kidney or elsewhere that they'll live with and never cause a problem.

Some cysts are complex, these require monitoring as they can develop into other things. If your consultant is saying nothing to be worried about then they'll likely be simple cysts.

Again not a dr but interesting you pay for private consultation and then not take the word of the person you're paying.

[bmwmike]

Thanks

My experience of private healthcare thus far has been that it is useful for getting scans progressed and results back, but the local private practice is not great. Basically my impression is that they spend a long day in the NHS then do a few hours in the evening for a few extra golf tokens.

As an example I had to ask for info about the size of the cysts as the report didn't mention it, and in the reply email got told if I've any other questions to speak to the radiographer. Odd, considering he is an imaging expert not a urologist.

My issue is with the size, being 6cm seems almost as large as the kidney itself.

I've also noticed that once dehydrated I get kidney pain if I poke around on my back near my ribs, or if I sit down on something like a bolster that digs in.

[numtumfutunch]

bmwmike said:

Thanks

My experience of private healthcare thus far has been that it is useful for getting scans progressed and results back, but the local private practice is not great. Basically my impression is that they spend a long day in the NHS then do a few hours in the evening for a few extra golf tokens.........

My experience of private doctors is slightly different

A minority are exclusively private because they are exceptional and have reached the point that their reputation is stellar and people will pay £££££££ to see them or they are exclusively private because they are 'slightly' sub par and wouldnt survive in the NHS

The rest have NHS jobs and do a bit extra in the evenings and their days off and are broadly decent. As you have demonstrated the biggest perk is handing over cash to jump waiting lists

In my opinion its a fallacy to think a private doctor is better than one youd see in your local hospital, I reckon its often the opposite in fact

Popcorn????

[bmwmike]

numtumfutunch said:

My experience of private doctors is slightly different

A minority are exclusively private because they are exceptional and have reached the point that their reputation is stellar and people will pay £££££££ to see them or they are exclusively private because they are 'slightly' sub par and wouldnt survive in the NHS

The rest have NHS jobs and do a bit extra in the evenings and their days off and are broadly decent. As you have demonstrated the biggest perk is handing over cash to jump waiting lists

In my opinion its a fallacy to think a private doctor is better than one youd see in your local hospital, I reckon its often the opposite in fact

Popcorn????

I think we are saying broadly the same thing?

I agree on your last point too, more often and not you see the same consultants just more tired/exhausted as they are fitting you in privately around everything else.

One other big difference IME private re NHS seems to be the hand holding. By that I mean, in private I was asked if I wanted to see a urologist. Ok, let's start there. Then when I was speaking to the uro guy I asked a question about liver and he literally says "that's not my job". Wouldn't give an opinion, wouldn't offer a referral, nada. In the NHS I've had similar situations and they wrote a letter to another speciality and eventually you get to see someone. Seems like there is an actual level of "care" versus pure service delivery in exchange for payment.

On the original topic I think I am going to speak to my insurer and seek a second opinion, ideally at a different non Spire provider.