What are the early symptoms of kidney cancer?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Many cases of kidney cancer often have no obvious symptoms in their early stages and are not discovered until the tumor progresses. After the tumor progresses, symptoms may include hematuria, which can be intermittent, painless, and visible throughout its course. There may also be back pain and a lump in the abdomen, which is evident in about twenty percent of cases. Slim individuals might find it easier to detect such lumps. There are also some extrarenal manifestations including fever, weight loss, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, hypertension, polycythemia, hypercalcemia, liver function impairment, etc. These symptoms might appear in the early stages. However, symptoms can vary from person to person.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What are the early symptoms of kidney cancer?

Kidney cancer is a common malignant tumor in the urinary system. Many patients with early-stage kidney cancer do not show any symptoms clinically and are incidentally discovered during medical examinations. Many patients in the early stages may also present with painless hematuria, sometimes as gross hematuria and sometimes as microscopic hematuria. Some patients may experience pain in the kidney area due to blood clots formed after hematuria, mainly presenting as intermittent episodes of mild back pain. Additionally, some patients in the early stages might show symptoms of paraneoplastic syndrome, such as hypertension and fever, but these clinical symptoms generally occur at a very low frequency. When patients present with obvious clinical symptoms, it often indicates that the kidney cancer has metastasized, leading to a clinical presentation of mid-to-late stage kidney cancer.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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What are the characteristic symptoms of kidney cancer?

Most kidney cancer patients are discovered during health check-ups, and these patients may account for over 50%-60% of all kidney cancer cases. Among those with symptoms, the most common symptoms are lower back pain and blood in urine. A few patients also present with abdominal masses. 10%-40% of patients can exhibit paraneoplastic syndromes, manifested as high blood pressure, anemia, weight loss, cachexia, fever, abnormal liver function, hyperglycemia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and other changes. Additionally, symptoms such as bone pain, fractures, cough, and coughing blood can occur due to tumor metastasis.

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Written by Xu Chun Hua
Urology
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Can you have sexual intercourse after kidney cancer removal?

After kidney cancer removal, based on an individual's physical condition, sexual activity can still be undertaken. Radical nephrectomy is also the best treatment method. During the surgery, it is often necessary to fully expose the area, first ligating the renal pedicle to prevent squeezing cancer cells into the bloodstream during surgery, while also removing the fascia and fat around the kidney, along with the lymph nodes at the hilum. After the surgery, it is also necessary to complement this with immunotherapy, such as using interferons and interleukins for immune treatment. Patients with kidney cancer can engage in appropriate sexual activities after surgery, but they should not be too strenuous, aiming not to feel tired the following day.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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What is good to eat after kidney cancer surgery?

If kidney cancer is detected early, it can be cured through surgery. Unlike some malignant tumors, kidney cancer has good treatment outcomes. If the cancer is less than four centimeters in diameter, the five-year survival rate after surgery can exceed 90%. If it is less than seven centimeters, the five-year survival rate after surgery can also reach 80%. Even if the cancer has metastasized to distant sites, removing the kidney can still help the patient's survival. Therefore, the earlier the tumor is detected, the better the treatment outcomes. Kidney cancer surgery is generally done through laparoscopy or open surgery. Postoperative diet should be high in protein, fiber, and nutrients, as the healing of the kidney cancer incision also requires a solid nutritional foundation. It is necessary to eat less spicy and stimulating food, and to maintain a low-salt, low-fat diet. The most important thing for kidney cancer is to have regular follow-ups to understand the recovery situation and check for any recurrence or metastasis of the tumor.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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The difference between benign and malignant kidney cancer.

The incidence of kidney cancer is also considered relatively high, with over 95% of kidney tumors being malignant, and benign tumors being less common. The distinction between benign and malignant tumors is determined by their symptomatic expression and growth patterns, and they have different impacts on the body. Generally, benign tumors grow expansively or exophytically, have a slower growth rate, and have clearer boundaries with often a capsule surrounding them. The texture and color of the tumor are close to that of normal tissues. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, exhibit the opposite characteristics.