What Are the Symptoms of Kidn... Health Article

Kidney cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. As the cancer grows, signs and symptoms like these may develop.

Blood in the urine. Called hematuria, blood in the urine is one of the most common signs of kidney cancer. Hematuria can be caused by other tumors, such as bladder cancer or prostate cancer tumors. Benign conditions, such as kidney stones and infections, may also cause it. You may be able to see the blood easily in your urine. Or the blood cells may show up only under a microscope in a sample of your urine.

Abdominal and back pain. Abdominal and back pain are also symptoms of kidney cancer. Pain is caused by the tumor growing and pushing against nearby organs. It is usually felt on one side only.

A mass or lump in the kidney area. If you feel a lump in the kidney area and have not had an injury, a tumor may be present. Pain may accompany the lump. If you feel a lump in your belly, this can also be a symptom of kidney cancer.

Fatigue. Chronic, unexplained tiredness is a common problem for people with cancer and is usually associated with anemia, which is a decreased red-blood-cell count that can be noticed from blood tests. This can be caused by almost all tumors, as well as by many benign diseases.

Rapid weight loss. Unexplained weight loss, which means losing weight without trying, is a symptom of kidney cancer.

Other symptoms. Here are some other symptoms.

• Fever without a cold, flu, or other known cause

• Leg and ankle swelling

• High blood pressure

• Pain on either side of the body with no known cause

• Night sweats

• An unexpectedly high red-blood-cell count, noticed from blood tests

If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible. Remember: These symptoms may be caused by kidney cancer or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to check with a doctor to be sure.