Early Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

Humans have two kidneys that filter the blood and create urine. Cancers can form on the small tubes inside the kidneys, eventually spreading to other tissue. All cancers occur when cells replicate uncontrollably; these cells can create tumors, which are masses of cancerous tissue that can prevent organs from functioning normally.

Older people are more likely to get most forms of kidney cancer, but the disease can occur at any age. In the early stages of kidney cancer, many people do not experience noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Pain on one side of the back
• Feelings of fatigue
• Fever
• Lumps or other masses on the lower back or side of the body
• Blood in the urine

It’s important to know that all of these symptoms can also be associated with other diseases. Only a qualified physician can make a diagnosis, and people who experience any concerning changes in their health should speak with their doctor as soon as possible.

Understanding Risk Factors

Doctors use risk factors to determine the likelihood that a particular group of people will develop a disease. However, some patients develop cancer without being part of these groups — again, the only way to diagnose cancer is through a clinical evaluation.

Factors that may increase the risk of kidney cancer include:

• A family history of kidney cancer
• Taking dialysis or other treatments for kidney failure
• Smoking
• Older age
• Exposure to certain chemicals
• High blood pressure
• Being overweight or obese

To diagnose kidney cancer, doctors may use a combination of blood tests, urine tests, and imaging tests (including ultrasounds, MRIs, X-rays, or CT scans). Some patients may undergo a biopsy, which is a surgical procedure; surgeons remove a sample of cells from the kidney, which can be tested in a laboratory for signs of cancer.

Prognosis and Treatment for Kidney Cancer

With treatment, the relative 5-year survival rate for early-stage kidney cancer is 93 percent according to the American Cancer Society. If the cancer has spread to regional tissues, the 5-year survival rate is 70 percent. Advanced cancers that have spread to distant parts of the body have a 5-year survival rate of 12 percent.

However, 5-year survival rates can’t determine a specific patient’s chances of successful treatment — a patient’s cancer team will consider dozens of factors to find the most appropriate therapies for that individual. Treatment options for kidney cancer may include:

• Surgery- Surgeons attempt to remove as much of the cancer as possible. For some patients, this means removing an entire affected kidney; most patients are able to live relatively normal lives with a single kidney.
• Nonsurgical Treatments- Depending on the stage of the cancer, surgeons may attempt to kill cancer cells by heating them or freezing them (techniques called cryoablation and radio frequency ablation). These treatments are usually used when kidney cancer is detected at an early stage.
• Targeted Therapies- The patient receives drugs that attempt to target the cancer cells, preventing them from spreading.
• Biologic Therapies- Also known as immunotherapy, biologic treatments use the immune system to attack cancer cells.
• Radiation Therapy- This technique uses high-energy rays, similar to X-rays, to limit the spread of cancer. Radiation therapy is typically used to ease the symptoms of cancer. It is often combined with other treatments.

Some patients also use complementary therapies to deal with the stress and pain of kidney cancer. These therapies might include meditation, acupressure, or taking supplements like fish oil and vitamins B and D. Some studies show that fatty acids in fish oil may aid certain cancer treatments, while a pair of prospective European studies showed that vitamins B6 and D could play a role in fighting certain renal cancers.

No supplement or alternative therapy can cure kidney cancer. Patients should always discuss complementary treatments with their doctors, particularly when taking supplements; some over-the-counter products can interact with medicine or cause side effects.

Researching Kidney Cancer Online

People who experience any of the early warning signs of kidney cancer should discuss their symptoms with experienced doctors, and people in higher-risk groups should get regular check-ups. When renal cancer is localized — meaning that it hasn’t spread to other organs — it can often be treated effectively.

Researching kidney cancer through online resources can give people the information they need to have more informed conversations with their cancer teams. Patients and family members should evaluate all information carefully, using multiple sources where possible, and keep their doctors involved in any health-related decisions.