My father was recently diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma of the left kidney.  He had a test (some sort of MRI) to check his pancreas due to lesions believed to be from prior pancreatitis and they found a cortical cyst on the right kidney.  Is there a possibility it could also be cancerous or should it not be a concern?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. Yes, cortical renal cyst can be a precancerous lesion for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). But it is not 100% true. If patient is smoker or having prolonged chemical exposure than chances are high. And detailed examination of cyst is needed to stamp it as pre malignant lesion. Like its border, shape, content, association with renal structures etc. all are important.  And most important is biopsy. At the time of pancreatitis your radiologist might miss these things. So renal cortical cyst can present as pre malignant lesion for RCC and can develop in RCC if risk factors are present like smoking.