What is a Kidney Mass and what causes it?

A kidney mass is an abnormal growth of tissue in the kidney, which can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Common causes include kidney tumors, cysts, infections, or other conditions such as polycystic kidney disease. Risk factors for malignant kidney masses may include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and a family history of kidney cancer. Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scans, and further evaluation may be necessary to determine the nature of the mass.