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Symptoms of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma accounts for 90% of kidney cancers. The symptoms of renal cell carcinoma are the same as for other kidney cancers, including blood in the urine, low back pain, a mass in the lower back, and/or edema in the lower extremities. A patient may also experience fatigue, fever, or weight loss. Renal cell carcinoma can only be definitively diagnosed after a biopsy; all of these symptoms could also indicate other diseases or conditions, so make sure to see your doctor if you are concerned about renal cell carcinoma.

  1. Blood in the Urine

    • Hematuria, or blood in the urine, can be an indicator of renal cell carcinoma. The blood may be visible to the naked eye (gross hematuria), or only detected upon microscopic examination. Many conditions that are unrelated to cancer, such as a urinary tract infection, can also cause hematuria. If you see blood in your urine, you should not immediately assume it means you have renal cell carcinoma, but you should be examined by your doctor promptly.

    Low Back Pain

    • Pain in the lower back, or on either side near the lower back, can indicate a variety of kidney problems, one of which is renal cell carcinoma. The pain occurs late in the disease, and is caused by the expansion of the tumor. If you are experiencing pain that is not associated with an injury, you'll want to make sure you tell your doctor about it.

    A Lump on the Lower Back

    • Although the tumor caused by a renal cell carcinoma is located in the kidney, it may grow large enough to be noticed externally. If you have a subcutaneous lump or a mass located on the lower back, or on one side near the lower back, you'll want to have it examined immediately. Even if you have not noticed a mass, your doctor may be able to detect one when he examines you.

    Edema

    • Edema is a common symptom of many kidney disorders. When the kidneys become less efficient, fluid builds up in the lower extremities, causing swelling and, occasionally, discomfort. This can be most often seen in the ankles and legs. Edema by itself doesn't usually indicate renal carcinoma, but it may occur in combination with other symptoms.

    Other Symptoms

    • Other symptoms that you may experience with renal cell carcinoma are FUO (fever of unknown origin), fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. While these symptoms can all indicate many other conditions, some of which are benign, they can also indicate the presence of many cancers, including renal cell carcinoma.

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