By: Trevor Price Because early diagnosis is so critical to improving survival rates, those at risk for the disease need to be able to recognize kidney cancer symptoms. If you're curious about whether you're at risk for this cancer and any potential signs or symptoms you should watch out for, keep reading. Symptoms of Kidney Cancer Blood in the Urine (hematuria): Blood in the urine is the most common of all the kidney cancer symptoms. Lower Back Pain: Many kidney cancer patients complain of a lower back that's unrelated to an injury or other causes. Lump or Bump: In many kidney cancer cases, a mass or lump can be felt in the stomach. Fatigue: Fatigue is a common symptom of many kidney cancer patients. They feel weak, lethargic and unable to maintain high energy levels. Unfortunately, this is a very general symptom associated with numerous diseases. Weight Loss: Weight loss that is both unintentional and rapid is often a sign of kidney cancer. However, this symptom is also common to many other diseases and cancers. Frequent Fevers: Fevers that are consistent, frequent and not connected to other infections (like a flu) can be a symptom of kidney cancer. Swelling: Edema, also known as swelling in the lower legs is a typical kidney cancer symptom most apparent in women. Higher Blood Pressure: Like many of the other symptoms listed above, high blood pressure can be attributed to numerous other diseases. However, if discovered alongside other symptoms, it can often be a good indicator for the disease. Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer Smoking: Smoking is the cause of 30% of renal cell carcinoma (common kidney cancer) cases in male smokers and 25% of cases in women. Analgesic Abuse: Overusing and abusing pain killers that contain phenactin (no longer prescribed in the U.S.) can increase the risk for kidney cancer. Occupational Exposure: Exposure to carcinogenic materials at work like asbestos, petroleum products, camium and certain organic solvents can all increase the risk for developing kidney cancer. Genetic Disorders: Genetic disorders that affect the kidney (e.g.: tuberous sclerosis) will increase the risk for kidney cancer. In addition, a strong family history (at least two close family members diagnosed with the disease) will also increase a patient's risk. Obesity: People who are obese or very overweight are more at risk for developing renal cell kidney cancer than those who maintain a healthy body weight. Kidney Failure: People with a history of kidney failures may develop cysts in their kidneys as a result. These cysts can expedite the development of kidney cancer. Advancing Age: Typically, renal cell carcinoma only develops in adults over the age of fifty and under seventy. Gender: RCC (renal cell carcinoma) kidney cancer is twice as common in men than women. If any of the listed risk factors apply to you, be sure to keep a watchful eye out for potential kidney cancer symptoms. Should any start presenting themselves, consult your physician immediately.
