Though the signs of kidney cancer are only experienced in later stages, it is important to monitor your health.
Kidney cancer is also called renal cancer and it is one of the most common cancers. You are more likely to develop kidney cancer if you are a smoker, have existing kidney diseases, have a family history of the disease, are overweight, have lymphoma, etc. Consult your doctor if you experience any signs of kidney issues.
3 signs of kidney cancer you need to monitor
Kidneys are bean-shaped organs that help to flush out toxins from the body and regulate blood pressure. It helps to maintain healthy fluid levels in the body and maintain pH balance. When your kidney cells grow excessively and form a tumor, it can cause kidney cancer.
Hematuria
Hematuria means the presence of blood in the urine. The presence of blood in the urine, even once, could be an indication of a medical condition.
Hematuria might be a symptom of you having cystitis, kidney cancer, a blood disorder, or any infections. It is advised to talk to your doctor if you see blood in your urine. Your doctor may ask you to undergo a few tests to know the exact cause. In kidney disorder, the blood in the urine might be because of an injury or cancer.
In most cases of kidney cancer, the symptom manifests only in its advanced stages.
Pain in the back
Back pain is a common condition that occurs in most people. Though, it’s important to note that it’s not always indicative of a serious health condition. The back pain might also be a symptom of a muscle injury. Severe pain in the kidney area is an indication of kidney ailments.
Back pain is usually experienced in the later stages of cancer. If you experience severe and sudden pain that occurs without any reason, talk to your doctor.
Other signs of kidney cancer related to the back include a lump in the back. The lumps are not felt at the early stages as kidneys are located deep in the abdomen.
Fatigue
Fatigue means experiencing severe weakness and lack of energy. This might make it difficult for you to focus and the lack of energy makes it difficult to perform even the daily tasks. Fatigue is a common symptom of not just kidney cancer, but other cancers too.
Fatigue can also be caused because of excess weight loss, another sign of kidney cancer. You may experience a sudden and unexplained weight loss when your kidney tumor rapidly spreads to other parts of your body.
Other signs of kidney cancer include loss of appetite, sudden fever, anemia, and swelling in the ankles.
You are more likely to develop kidney cancer if you have a family history of kidney cancer or any other ailments. Other risk factors include health conditions such as hypertension and obesity. If you are on dialysis treatment or undergoing treatment for arthritis, you may be prone to developing kidney ailments.