Kidney Mass
A kidney mass is an abnormal growth in the kidney that may be cystic, solid, benign, or malignant.
When to get help quickly: Prompt review is important if there is visible blood in the urine, persistent flank pain, weight loss, fever without explanation, or a mass that looks suspicious on scan.
Common symptoms
Many kidney masses cause no symptoms and are found on scan. Some people may have blood in the urine, pain in the side or back, a swelling, unexplained weight loss, or fever.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps determine whether the mass looks like a simple cyst, a more complex lesion, or something more suspicious that needs closer follow-up or treatment planning.
What radiology does
Ultrasound, CT, and MRI help describe whether the mass looks simple, complex, enhancing, or suspicious.
What usually happens next
Management ranges from monitoring to biopsy, surgery, or cancer treatment depending on the imaging appearance and patient context.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.