angiomyolipoma kidney tumour?

A few months ago I started getting uti symptoms which are still ongoing. I had an ultrasound last week and it picked up a 4mm shadow on my left kidney. The doctors report said they believe it’s a angiomyolipoma. I stopped googling this shortly after I started as it terrified me with things like haemorrhaging etc. I’m an otherwise healthy 35yo woman. Has anyone had experience with one of these? I’m going to be having further tests in the coming weeks so they can rule out other things. I can’t help feeling that 4mm is really small to give that diagnosis based on an ultrasound, it’s apparently quite a rare benign tumour. I’m just really scared and wanted to see if anyone out there’s had one of these and knows anything about these/kidney ultrasounds? Thank you x

Parents Reply
  •  

    Hi DiiOnne,

    Welcome to our forum. I am so sorry to hear that you have AML too. Doctors have to tell you about all side-effects of surgery, even though it doesn't often happen. What stage are you at with this? Are you going to have any surgery or treatment, or is it just a case of monitoring you?

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Children
  • Hi everyone 

    I'm 27 and was told last Friday I have a cyst on my left kidney and a 5mm angiomyolipoma on my right kidney. 

    I had an ultrasound for something else and it was an incidental find. My doctor is seeking advice from a urologist about whether I should have an MRI scan. 
     

    Should I be worried? I've read that AML is benign but how do they know that the cyst on the other kidney isn't cancerous? I'm worried they won't approve the MRI as the AML is only 5mm but seems I'm fairly young to have this and I do get dull pain in my upper abdomen and find it hard sitting in a comfortable position sometimes. 
     

    Have found this thread really comforting to read to see everyone's journey. Did anyone push the doctor for an MRI to make sure all was ok? Did anyone else also have cysts along with AMLs? I can't stop googling xx

  •  

    Hi Haz,

    Welcome to our forum.  I am not a doctor, just a breast cancer pilgrim, but from what I've read AML is normally benign, although like cysts, patients are usually monitored for any change. It sounds as if your GP is doing the right thing in consulting an urologist for advice. It is hard to say what will be done because of the current pandemic. Many hospitals are not carrying out scans at present, as these are being reserved for Covid patients.

    I am glad to hear that you have got some comfort from this site. However, this is something that you won't get from Dr Google. I know that it is tempting, but try to steer clear of Google, as this will naturally lead you to all sorts of nasty outcomes. If you want to find out more about AML, go to the blue banner at the top of this page and click on the search engine. Insert AML and click again. This will bring you to posts from other people who have AML, which I hope you will find reassuring.

    Do please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Jolamine 

    Thank you for your lovely message. I definitely need to avoid google but it is so hard when you are waiting to hear back from the doctors because I feel so curious and anxious. 
     

    I'm hoping they will approve me for a scan but perhaps in a few months once the number of covid cases hopefully decreases and they are able to do routine checks again (it's such a scary time with the pandemic).

    If I don't hear back in 4 weeks then I have to follow it up, so I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again for your advice and stay safe xx

     

     

  •  

    Hi Haz,

    Having had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years, I am only too aware of how tempting it is to research everything, no matter how vaguely connected, but Google is never good news. Much of the information is inaccurate, out of date and aimed at the spectacular cases, which only serves to scare us further.

    I sincerely hope that you will be approved for an MRI. I'm sure that there won't be any problem if it has to be delayed for a few months until all this hype dies down. It is good that you have been advised to follow it up if you haven't heard anything within 4 weeks. It is not unusual for patients to slip through the net, especially with all that is happening just now. However, this gives you the ideal opportunity to chase it up if this does happen.

    I hope that all goes well for you and I look forward to hearing from you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

  • haz I have just been diagnosed  with a cyst and angiomyolipoma  on my.left kidney how did you go on with yours