What is a cortical cyst and what are the procedures and costs to remove it?

Doctor's Answers 2

I presume you are referring to a kidney cortical cyst.

A cyst is like a bubble and cortical cyst means it arises from the cortex of the kidney, which is in a way the more superficial aspect of the kidney.

Cysts can either be simple and complex. When we refer to a cyst as being complex, we are concerned about its potential of being cancerous or malignant.

Of course, if the cyst is malignant, we would have to intervene and this can range from ablative techniques (either freezing or melting) to surgery (partial nephrectomy, removing part of the kidney and if not suitable, radical nephrectomy, where the entire kidney has to be removed)

For non-cancerous cysts, if the cyst is causing symptoms eg back pain or if the cyst is causing blockage to the flow of urine from the respective kidney (eg hydronephrosis), we can marsupialise the cyst (ie decompress it and remove part of the cyst wall to prevent recurrence).

These procedures can be done with key-hole (laparoscopic) surgeries when suitable.

Do see a urologist to get the cyst assessed. We will advice the next step of treatment accordingly.

Cortical cyst of the kidney basically is a fluid filled sac that grows on the cortex ( surface) of the kidney. Kidney cysts are very common.

For kidney cysts, we must determine 3 factors before any interventions

1. The size

2. Whether it is causing you any symptoms

3. Whether it is cancerous

For simple ( benign) kidney cysts that is big or causing you symptoms, we usually perform laparoscopic or key hole surgery to remove the wall of the cyst and the fluid.

As for the cost of the procedure, we will need to assess you and look at the scans first before estimating the cost of the procedure.

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