Cancer starts small and grows gradually. This is why it’s so important to pay attention to even the smallest changes in your body, such as kidney cancer symptoms that appear early on. The earlier you catch kidney cancer, the more likely you are to have a successful treatment and prognosis.
Kidney cancer is one of the easier cancers to treat when diagnosed at the early stages.
Cancer starts in cells. All cancer begins when genes in a cell’s DNA mutate and produce abnormal cells. The growth of these mutated cells often forms a tumor, which can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). If cancer remains in the kidney where it began, it’s called renal cell carcinoma. When cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it’s known as metastatic kidney cancer or stage IV kidney cancer. The early signs of kidney cancer include:
1. Fatigue
Getting tired easily, feeling weak all over, and having little energy are all signs of fatigue. These feelings may come and go throughout the day but get worse during periods of high activity, like standing up quickly from sitting or lying down. People whose kidney cancer is in its early stages might not notice any change. However, if they feel fatigued for no apparent reason, they should see their doctor right away.
2. Blood In Your Urine Or Pelvis
Another common sign of kidney cancer is blood in the urine or pelvis. It’s normal for tiny amounts of blood to pass through the urine daily. But this number increases with physical activity, coughing or sneezing, urinary tract infections, or certain medical conditions. Blood in the urine or pelvic symbolizes a problem somewhere else in the body. You could need immediate care from your doctor if you experience blood in your urine or pelvic likely due to a bladder infection, hemorrhoids, kidney stones, cancer, or another condition.
3. Lower Back Pain
Kidney cancer tumors can grow large enough to press against nearby organs and cause severe pain. A kidney stone can also block the flow of urine, causing backaches. To find out whether lower back pain is caused by kidney stones or cancer, talk to your doctor. Early detection of kidney cancer is crucial for effective cancer treatments.
4. Lump On Side Or Lower Back
Though not all lumps are cancerous, a lump on the side or lower back can indicate a serious health issue. Lumps can form after surgery or injury to the area. They can also develop in response to inflammation or infection. A lump that doesn’t seem to move around or disappear within a few days needs a professional evaluation from your physician.
5. Loss of appetite or weight loss
Another common early sign of the presence of cancer cells in the kidney is unexplained weight loss. If you notice significant weight loss that isn’t related to diet or exercise, you should visit a doctor immediately. Loss of appetite or lack of interest in food makes patients lose weight faster than usual. A quick visit to your physician will give you a better chance of detecting kidney cancer in time. This way, you will be able to start treatment straight away rather than wait for symptoms to emerge.
6. Urinary Changes
One of the most frequent early signs of kidney cancer is changes in your urinary stream. Many people have different urine colors, with some being dark brown while others are light yellow or red. Darker colored urine means more protein has been passed into the urine. As the disease progresses, many types of cancer cells enter the bloodstream. Then, they travel to distant sites in the body, multiplying uncontrollably. That’s why doctors use imaging tests such as CT scans and Ultrasounds to look at kidneys and other body parts to detect possible growths or masses. If doctors suspect you have kidney cancer, they’ll perform an ultrasound test. The results may show changes in tumor size and shape. Even though these findings may sound alarming, many kidney cancers can be successfully treated without surgical removal of the affected organ.
7. Nausea Or Vomiting
Vomiting and nausea can be symptoms of several different types of diseases, including kidney cancer. These symptoms appear suddenly when you eat something that irritates your digestive system. Since these foods usually contain proteins, you’re likely experiencing kidney cancer. Itching in the belly, stomach cramps, diarrhea, or constipation are other symptoms associated with kidney cancer. Nausea or vomiting may occur because cancer cells create chemicals that stimulate nerves that send messages to the brain. In addition, these cells make substances called prostaglandins that activate certain nerve endings responsible for transmitting messages to the brain. Therefore, if you experience any of these symptoms, see your primary care doctor right away.
8. Hair Loss
When it comes to identifying early signs of kidney cancer, hair loss is one of them. Hair loss can be due to medical conditions including thyroid problems, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, chemotherapy, low blood count, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, among others. When there is no cause for hair loss, it could mean cancer is present. In most cases, doctors don’t order blood work or radiologic examinations when hair loss is only temporary. However, physicians may run thorough check-ups to rule out other medical conditions if the problem persists beyond a few months.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.