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What Causes A 6 Mm Lesion In The Kidney?
Question: I am 37 years old. Recent blood work came normal. Creatinine level was 059. No anemia. My doctor said that on the ultrasound they found 6 millimeters echogenic no shadow solid lesion on the kidney. Possibility of fat containing lesion. The ultrasound reading recommended CT scan. My GP doctor said that he recommends waiting because the lesion is small. He does not want unnecessary radiation. Can you provide your opinion? Can 6 millimeters lesion be characterized/diagnosed on CT as cancer? Can they get a reading or will I just get inconclusive reading? Also, does the ultrasound result seem as this can be cancer or benign?
Brief Answer:
Ultrasound scan can never diagnose cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist, i can understand your concern.
You're right that a lesion seen on ultrasound, is never conclusive of cancer.
Your G.P.is right in advising a CT scan.
Even then a cancer can't be diagnosed with certainty.
You need to get examined by an Urologist and do the following tests :
1. urine routine and culture.
2. blood routine,creatinine,RBS,LFT and platelets.
3. A CT-IVU or a MRU scan.(MRI scan).
Send the ultrasound scan with the above reports, for an expert opinion.
There's no question of advising radiation for such lesions.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Ultrasound scan can never diagnose cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist, i can understand your concern.
You're right that a lesion seen on ultrasound, is never conclusive of cancer.
Your G.P.is right in advising a CT scan.
Even then a cancer can't be diagnosed with certainty.
You need to get examined by an Urologist and do the following tests :
1. urine routine and culture.
2. blood routine,creatinine,RBS,LFT and platelets.
3. A CT-IVU or a MRU scan.(MRI scan).
Send the ultrasound scan with the above reports, for an expert opinion.
There's no question of advising radiation for such lesions.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
You did not read my question carefully. My gp is recommending waiting and not doing the ct scan. The radiologist that read the ultrasound results said that ct scan is recommended. I had a blood work recently done and everything came normal. The ceratinine level was059. No anemia. No inflammation. Regular vitamin level. My gp thinks that the lesion of 6 millimiters is most likely benign nodule that may never grow. He also thinks that even a ct scan they will recommwnd waiting as this is too small to biopsy ans ct scan most likely will not provide a result stating that this can be cancerous. I am looking for an opinion if since it is small and mist likely fat containing i should wait few months before doing further testing that may come back without a diagnosis anyways . can u provide an opinion?
Brief Answer:
Do a CT scan by 6 months time,if you decide to wait.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Your ultrasonologist is an expert on the scan finding.
He suggests a CT scan,because he's unable to comment on nature of the solid lesion.
Your GP obviously hasn't seen as many kidney lesions,as an Urologist or a sonologist.
A 6mm lesion can be differentiated as fat or solid lesion,on a CT-IVUor MRU scan.
There's no harm in waiting for a period of six months,before doing a CT or MRI.
If at all you decide to wait,it shouldn't exceed six months,before doing the CT scan.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Do a CT scan by 6 months time,if you decide to wait.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Your ultrasonologist is an expert on the scan finding.
He suggests a CT scan,because he's unable to comment on nature of the solid lesion.
Your GP obviously hasn't seen as many kidney lesions,as an Urologist or a sonologist.
A 6mm lesion can be differentiated as fat or solid lesion,on a CT-IVUor MRU scan.
There's no harm in waiting for a period of six months,before doing a CT or MRI.
If at all you decide to wait,it shouldn't exceed six months,before doing the CT scan.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
What is your opinion about posaible results from the ct scan? Do you think they can actually diagnose small lesion like that being benign or possibly cancerous? Would they recommend surgery or biopsy? Or would they recommwnd a repeat of ct scan? Im trying to figure out if a 6 millineters solid lesion can be somehow defined after ct scan. Also what is better mri or ct scan when it comes to diagnosing kidney.
Brief Answer:
MRI scan has better resolution than a CT scan.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
I'll clear both your doubts.
1. A CT scan is very accurate in diagnosing a 6mm lesion.
It can also give an idea about lesion containing fat.
2. A MRI scan has better resolution than a CT scan.
But in your case,a CECT scan(with contrast), is enough.
A biopsy/ surgery will be considered after seeing the reports.
If you've any other doubts,feel free to ask.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
MRI scan has better resolution than a CT scan.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
I'll clear both your doubts.
1. A CT scan is very accurate in diagnosing a 6mm lesion.
It can also give an idea about lesion containing fat.
2. A MRI scan has better resolution than a CT scan.
But in your case,a CECT scan(with contrast), is enough.
A biopsy/ surgery will be considered after seeing the reports.
If you've any other doubts,feel free to ask.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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