He never expected a kidney tumor. An MRI found signs.

Mario thought he was doing everything right. Then an MRI uncovered signs of a kidney mass that turned out to be a renal tumor.

At a glance

Function member: Mario, member since 2025
Function focus: Imaging / Tumor
Discovery: Clear cell papillary renal cell tumor

Healthy by every measure

Mario built a life around discipline, movement, and staying healthy.

He exercised regularly. Worked with a nutritionist. Reviewed his lab tests every few months.

At 44, he wasn't trying to solve a health problem.

I was feeling amazing.

In fact, the only thing that had ever looked remotely unusual was some microscopic blood in his urine. Years earlier, doctors investigated it. They scanned his kidneys and ruled out stones. They found nothing concerning.

A question he couldn't shake

At the beginning of 2025, Mario and his wife were talking about longevity and praying about the future they hoped to have together.

Then a question entered his mind.

Why do healthy people get sick?

The answer that followed felt simple: Sometimes they don't know something is wrong.

A few days later, while scrolling on his phone, he came across information about advanced MRI.

The timing felt strange. His wife wasn't even sure she'd want to know if there was an issue.

Mario made an appointment through Ezra, a part of Function.

The result nobody expected

When the report arrived, one detail jumped off the page.

Renal cystic lesion.

Signs suggestive of a Bosniak III cyst had been found in his right kidney. Nearly 3 centimeters.

Suddenly, the conversation about longevity felt personal. Still, he wasn't convinced something was seriously wrong. Neither was his primary care physician.

He was like, everybody's got cysts.

Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can be simple or complex. Simple kidney cysts are typically harmless. They can vary in size, from a marble to a golf ball. Around 1 in 4 people aged 40+ and about 1 in 2 people aged 50+ may have simple kidney cysts.

For a while, Mario tried to accept that answer. But he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed another opinion.

Trusting his instincts

Months later, Mario met with 2 different urologists.

The conversations started the same way. Both doctors reassured him that kidney cysts are common.

But when they looked more closely at the report, the tone changed. It was a complex cyst. Additional imaging confirmed it.

Eventually, Mario met with a surgeon who specialized in kidney procedures. The surgeon was direct.

If you were my brother, I'd tell you to take it out.

The answer came after surgery

It was the first major surgery of his life.

The procedure went well, but the recovery was harder than he expected. The first few days were painful. Breathing hurt. Moving hurt.

And then he waited for the pathology report.

When it arrived, it said clear cell papillary renal cell tumor.

A nearly 3 centimeter tumor in his kidney.

Mario after his diagnosis journey

Learning he had a tumor after it was gone

The diagnosis shocked him.

Not because he felt sick. Because he felt completely healthy.

There had been no warning signs. No pain. No symptoms pushing him toward an answer.

Without the MRI, there may have been no reason to look. No reason to find it. Until it was more difficult to treat.

A different way to think about health

Today, Mario continues regular follow-up imaging.

His kidney function remains strong. He's back to training and working hard for his family.

We're just so grateful.

After this experience, he says he understands the lesson.

Not to assume. And not to confuse feeling healthy with knowing what's actually happening inside your body.

I'd rather know.

Check your health with 160+ lab tests and access to advanced imaging through Function.

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