What are the characteristics of hematuria in renal cancer?

Written by Li Yuan Wei
Urology
Updated on December 10, 2024
00:00
00:00

What we commonly refer to as kidney cancer actually includes two aspects. One is renal cell carcinoma, and the other is renal pelvis cancer or ureteral cancer. The characteristics of hematuria are different in these two types. Renal cell carcinoma, simply understood, grows inside the kidney and is not connected with urine. Only when the kidney tumor grows large enough to breach the kidney or renal pelvis will the tumor rupture and bleed, causing hematuria. This generally occurs in the middle to late stages of kidney cancer. On the other hand, renal pelvis cancer or ureteral cancer exhibits intermittent hematuria in the early stages without significant symptoms, but as it progresses to the middle and late stages, symptoms like kidney hydronephrosis and hematuria slowly appear. When diagnosing these conditions, any occurrence of hematuria must be investigated to determine the cause. Initial screening can be done using urinary system ultrasound, urinalysis, or routine urine tests. More precise methods include enhanced CT or MRI of the urinary system, which facilitate easier diagnosis.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jian
Urology
1min 11sec home-news-image

Will there be metastasis after kidney cancer removal?

Currently, all malignancies tend to metastasize. Renal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the kidney in the urinary system. Generally, patients might not exhibit any symptoms in the early stages. The most common symptoms are usually back pain and hematuria, and some patients are diagnosed due to an abdominal mass. The primary treatment for renal cancer is surgical intervention, which is considered the preferred method and is believed to be potentially curative. For patients with stage I, II, III, and IV renal cancer, the survival rates decrease progressively. Patients with stage I and II renal cancer should have follow-ups every three to six months for three consecutive years after surgery, and then annually. Patients with stage III and IV renal cancer should have follow-ups every three months for two years post-treatment, then monthly in the third year, and annually thereafter. Early detection of metastasis is crucial for timely treatment. Therefore, even after nephrectomy, renal cancer might recur, and regular follow-ups are essential.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Chun Hua
Urology
36sec home-news-image

Survival rate after early removal of kidney cancer

The prognosis of renal cancer is closely related to its clinical staging. If it is in the early stages, surgery is the preferred treatment and the prognosis is very good. Timely surgery followed by subsequent treatments such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, etc., is recommended. For early-stage renal cancer, the five-year survival rate after surgical removal can exceed 90%, and some patients may live without issues for over 20 years. How long someone lives specifically also depends on the individual's constitution and physical condition.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
50sec home-news-image

The typical three major symptoms of kidney cancer

The typical three major symptoms of kidney cancer are hematuria, pain, and a mass. If these three symptoms appear, it generally indicates that the condition has reached an advanced stage, at which point the patient may have missed the optimal timing for treatment. Surgery at this stage may also be challenging to perform completely. Therefore, early detection and treatment are essential. The five-year survival rate after kidney cancer surgery is as high as 97% for many people. Thus, overall, the prognosis for kidney cancer is relatively good. However, the best treatment approach remains surgery, including nephron-sparing surgery and radical nephrectomy, depending on the size of the tumor. Generally, for tumors smaller than four centimeters, nephron-sparing treatment can be adopted.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
30sec home-news-image

Is the recurrence rate of kidney cancer high?

Kidney cancer is associated with a certain recurrence rate. If a patient undergoes partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer, it is crucial to schedule regular follow-ups at the hospital to monitor the renal pelvis and check if the cancer has recurred. If the patient has undergone radical nephrectomy, where the affected kidney is entirely removed, it is important to regularly observe the surrounding tissues and distant organ tissues for any signs of tumor metastasis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jian
Urology
1min 22sec home-news-image

Is Stage 2 kidney cancer considered early stage?

Kidney cancer refers to a malignant tumor that occurs in the kidney. The causes of kidney cancer are not particularly clear at present, but are related to genetics, smoking, obesity, hypertension, and the treatment of hypertension. Most early-stage kidney cancer patients are found to have asymptomatic kidney cancer during health check-ups, and these patients account for more than 50% to 60% of all kidney cancer cases. Patients with kidney cancer generally experience back pain and hematuria, and some patients may present with an abdominal mass. Stage II kidney cancer is considered early-stage kidney cancer. For the treatment of kidney cancer, a clear diagnosis first requires a CT scan and enhanced CT of the kidney. The preferred treatment method for stage II kidney cancer is radical nephrectomy, which can be performed using laparoscopic surgery or traditional open surgery, with laparoscopic surgery primarily favored at present. After kidney cancer surgery, regular follow-ups are necessary to prevent distant metastasis. Therefore, post-operative check-ups should occur every 3 to 6 months for the first three years, followed by an annual follow-up thereafter. Hence, stage II kidney cancer, being early-stage, can be cured.