Learn The Early Warning Signs Of Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is among the most common cancers in both men and women. Here are 6 common early warning signs that you should be aware of to seek treatment early.

Knowing how to read the common early warning signs of kidney cancer is very important to ensure you can seek treatment early. However, this isn’t as simple as some other kinds of cancer. Where you can self-assess yourself for testicular cancer or have a prostate exam in minutes, kidney cancer is harder to detect.

Sometimes kidney cancer can grow quite substantially without causing any noticeable symptoms. And, because it is located in a deeper part of the body than, say, the testicles or breasts, smaller tumours are hard to detect during an examination.

That being said, there are a few key common early warning signs of kidney cancer that you should be aware of. If any of these symptoms present themselves, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for an assessment.

Early Warning Signs of Kidney Cancer To Be Aware Of

Blood In The Urine

Blood in the urine (hematuria) is the most common symptom of kidney cancer. However, it is also a common symptom of many less serious problems. So, don’t fret too much if it is something you are experiencing or have noticed in the past.

Blood being present in the urine doesn’t necessarily mean it will be red. It may be pink or a cloudy orange. Sometimes blood in the urine won’t be visible at all. If you notice any change to your urine, it is important to see your doctor for assessment. It may be the sign of another issue (such as kidneys stones or a UTI), but it may mean you have detected cancer in its early stages.

Lower Back Pain

The kidneys are located in the lower back, below the ribs. If you have kidney cancer, this is where you may be feeling pain, if any. Of course, lower back pain is widespread, so it by no means immediately indicates cancer, but it may be a symptom.

Any ongoing pain (for two weeks or more) or noticeable changes to this part of the body, especially if it only affects one side of the body (kidney cancer rarely affects both kidneys), should be examined. Again, if it isn’t a sign of cancer, it may indicate another problem, such as an infection, which may be quite serious in its own right.

A Mass of Lump on the Side or Back of the Abdomen

A large tumour may be externally visible as a lump or mass on the side or back of the abdomen. Sometimes a tumour might not be big enough to be visible, but it may be discernable to touch. It will feel like a hardened lump.

Fatigue and Anemia

The kidneys are responsible for producing the hormone erythropoietin, which tells the body to produce red blood cells. With decreased kidney function comes a drop in red blood cell count, a condition known as anaemia. This will leave you feeling tired, short of breath, and overall not yourself.

In addition to this, cancer drains energy and disrupts metabolism, which can make you extremely lethargic, to the point where it may disrupt your day-to-day life.

Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss

Kidney cancer can affect metabolism, and that, on top of fatigue and anaemia, can lead to loss of appetite. Alongside a general feeling of being unwell and nagging fevers, this can result in a quick and noticeable drop in weight.

Sometimes this can happen without any drastic changes to diet. Having cancer may change the way your body burns energy and may result in weight loss that seems inexplicable.

Swollen Legs or Ankles

In cases of kidney cancer, fluid can begin to build up around the lower legs and ankles. This may be quite noticeable and make it difficult to walk or do other difficulties.

Treating Kidney Cancer with Urology Specialist

It is crucial to act swiftly if you notice any symptoms. While many of the above may the related to another less serious issue, it is always smart to see your doctor and have yourself assessed as early as possible.

Dr Arianayagam is an expert in the field of urological cancer. If you have any further questions about kidney cancer and would like to book an appointment, please feel free to call. We will always provide our patients with compassionate care and advice.

While you’re here, learn some more about how we can help you:

Kidney Cancer and what you need to know

Help Prevent Kidney Stones with these 5 tips

6 of the most common urological conditions and their causes