Renal adenomas are benign tumors that often go undiagnosed and can only be noticed incidentally on autopsy findings. They are slow-growing but can potentially turn into aggressive, cancerous tumors. Surgery may be an option if the growth becomes problematic, but non-invasive treatment approaches are generally preferred. Patients should ensure the growth is part of their medical record and inform emergency medical personnel.
A renal adenoma is a benign solid tumor in or around the kidneys, originating in glandular tissue. The incidence of these growths in the general population is not known, as they often go undiagnosed and may only be noticed incidentally on autopsy findings in patients who die of other conditions. A doctor usually identifies a renal adenoma when a medical imaging study of the kidneys is requested for an unrelated reason and growth appears as a finding on that study.
This type of growth tends to be slow, although there is potential for differentiation into an aggressive, cancerous tumor. Superficially, renal adenomas can look like renal cell carcinoma, a malignant tumor, and a doctor usually orders a biopsy to evaluate the cells under a microscope and learn more about the tumor. If the growth is an adenoma, the doctor will not recommend treatment beyond monitoring the patient for any signs of changes.
Typically, patients with this type of growth experience no symptoms. Sometimes a kidney adenoma puts pressure on the kidneys and can create blockages in the urinary tract or increase the risk of infection. During the evaluation for these problems, the doctor will find the kidney adenoma. In most patients, the growth should be asymptomatic and may go undetected throughout the patient’s life. Because autopsies are ordered only in cases where there are concerns about the circumstances of the death, it is difficult to determine the frequency of this cancer from autopsy results alone.
If a kidney adenoma starts causing problems by growing too large or too fast, surgery to remove it is a treatment option. Doctors may also watch the growth for signs it’s becoming malignant and might consider chemotherapy or radiation as additional treatment options. Non-invasive treatment approaches are generally preferred because the risks to the patient are much lower. Undergoing surgery to remove a kidney adenoma may not be recommended if the growth does not cause health problems, as the patient will be exposed to risks of infection, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and kidney damage.
A patient with a renal adenoma should make sure that the growth and as much information as possible is part of her medical record. If another doctor identifies the growth, you can look at the patient’s medical records to see if the growth is growing or is cause for concern. Patients may also want to bring it up with emergency medical personnel to make them aware of the growth, as it may surprise them in medical imaging studies or surgery, and it may be helpful to know the patient is aware of and monitors it with the assistance of a doctor.
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