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Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Cancer in a Kidney Transplant Patient

Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist, located on both sides of the back in the midsection. Kidneys are the filtering unit for the bloodstream, working to remove all of the waste and toxins in the body through urination. There are several signs and symptoms that may indicate renal cancer in kidney transplant patients. However, most symptoms are not present until the latter stages of renal cancer.

  1. Hematuria

    • About 40 to 50 percent of renal carcinoma patients experience hematuria or blood in the urine. Hematuria is the most common symptom of renal cell carcinoma in kidney transplant patients. Since hematuria is a common symptom of other illnesses and diseases, it is not a clear indication that a patient has kidney cancer. Further testing is needed to make a final diagnosis of renal cancer.

    Abdominal, Flank or Back Pain with Mass

    • Back, flank or abdominal pain or pressure that is constant is another symptom of renal cell carcinoma in kidney transplant patients, and occurs in approximately 41 percent of patients with kidney cancer. About 45 percent of kidney cancer patients end up with a hard mass in the abdominal cavity. In a kidney cancer patient, the lump or mass is generally a tumor. This mass continues to grow and can sometimes be visible or felt on palpation.

    Unexplained Weight Loss

    • Some kidney cancer patients, who have undergone a kidney transplant, experience unexplained weight loss. About 28 percent of renal cell carcinoma patients suddenly start shedding pounds. Some kidney cancer patients will also experience a decrease in appetite, thus adding to the unexpected weight loss.

    Anemia, Fatigue and Fever

    • In about 21 percent of renal cell carcinoma patients, anemia is present. Patients with this symptom are usually in the advanced stages of the disease. Anemia can leave the patient feeling weak and tired. Persistent fatigue is also considered a symptom of kidney cancer but goes hand in hand with anemia. Fever can also be present in approximately 9 percent of patients with kidney cancer after a kidney transplant.

    High Blood Pressure, Fluid Retention and Shortness of Breath

    • High blood pressure is another symptom that can appear in the advanced stages of kidney cancer. With high blood pressure, the body will sometimes retain fluid. When this happens, swelling in the the ankles and legs can be present. Also, with the increased fluid retention, the lungs may become filled with fluid, causing shortness of breath or breathing difficulty.

    Risk Factors

    • Some people are more likely to get kidney cancer than others, even after a kidney transplant. For instance, men are at a much higher risk for kidney cancer than women. Age also plays a role as well as race. African Americans are at a much higher risk than Caucasians for renal carcinoma. Some other risk factors for kidney cancer include smoking, obesity, family medical and genetic history, inactivity and a high calorie diet. Some of these risk factors can be eliminated by eating a healthy diet and exercising.

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