Ricardo Dario Gonzalez, M.D. Urologist

Kidney Mass A CT scan ("Cat scan") depicting a mass of the left kidney (on right of screen) Kidney masses can be solid or cystic with the majority of solid masses being malignant (cancer)  Urology Care Foundation's video on kidney masses (press play for more information) It is important to speak to your doctor about your specific situation as there could be variations in protocols. This is not meant as a substitute for medical care. It is a supplement to your discussion with me. Background:  A common urologic problem is masses of the kidney. Masses of the kidney are typically  tumors (an abnormal growth of cells) with both terms being used interchangeably when referring to solid growths of the kidney. However, a mass of the kidney could also signify a cyst  (a fluid filled structure) that changes the normal anatomic appearance of the organ. Tumors are typically solid structures and cysts are usually hollow and fluid filled, yet dependi...

BIOGRAPHY:  Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez is an experienced and knowledgeable urologist with expertise in conditions afflicting the adult urinary tract and genitalia. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville where he graduated with honors. He was then accepted to the prestigious urologic surgery program at the University of South Florida in Tampa Bay.  During his urology residency he trained with surgeons at Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa General Hospital, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and with pediatric urologists at Nemours Children’s Hospital and Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. He has published numerous articles and a book chapter on urologic diseases including kidney stone disease and congenital anomalies of the kidney.  A native Floridian from Naples, he has expertise in kidney stone disease, urologic oncology (including prostate, kidney, bladder, ureteral, penile and testicular cancers), voiding dysfunction...

Hello! I'm a new urologist with Urology Partners of Bradenton, a division of 21st Century Oncology. Along with 7 other experienced urologists we serve our community for all of their urologic health needs. We have offices in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, Florida.  I've decided to start a blog in order to better share news and information with my patients. I believe we should all have access to clear and concise information in order to guide the best decision making possible. This is most important in medicine where we are often pressed to make difficult and life-altering decisions with incomplete information. Unfortunately, in healthcare information can at times be confusing, conflicting, misleading and overwhelming. This misinformation can lead people to believe they have a good grasp on a condition and set them down an incorrect (or dangerous) path. Furthermore, we are all prone to biases which can lead to errors in judgement, such as seeking out information that on...