What are the characteristic manifestations of kidney cancer?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on January 16, 2025
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Kidney cancer is a type of malignant tumor. Patients with this disease may exhibit some clinical symptoms. Some patients experience dull pain in the lumbar and back area due to the large growth of the tumor, which compresses the renal capsule. As the tumor grows, it may rupture and bleed, causing the patient to have visible blood in the urine. This type of hematuria is often painless and consistent throughout; patients may also feel a mass in the abdomen. In the early stages of kidney cancer, many patients do not exhibit clinical manifestations or discomfort. Therefore, patients often only exhibit the aforementioned clinical symptoms in a more severe state, later in the progression of the disease.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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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.

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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 Zou De Bo
Urology
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Kidney cancer thrombus

Tumor thrombus is one of the common complications of tumors, and refers to cancer cells in blood vessels or lymphatic vessels similar to blood clots, i.e., cancer cells clustering together, invading the vessels, and causing abnormalities in blood coagulation function, leading to disorders in blood circulation and abnormal coagulation with clustered cancer cells. Generally, the risk of tumor thrombus formation is very high, and patients with tumor thrombus have much worse treatment outcomes than those without. Renal cancer is also a tumor commonly associated with tumor thrombus. Once a tumor thrombus occurs, it indicates that the surgery might be staged quite late, and thus, its treatment results are also relatively poor.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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early symptoms of kidney cancer

Early symptoms may include hematuria, which is often painless, intermittent, and visible throughout. Hematuria caused by renal cancer is often due to blood clots blocking the fallopian tubes, and the clots can form stripes through the ureter. Secondly, back pain may occur, which is another common symptom of kidney cancer. It is mostly dull pain felt in the back and may be caused by the growth of the tumor. Thirdly, a mass may appear, which can be felt in the abdomen during a medical examination. Generally, feeling a mass in the abdomen is possibly a symptom of the advanced stage.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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Can kidney cancer patients eat sea cucumber?

Patients with kidney cancer can eat sea cucumber, but the amount should be determined based on individual conditions. It is recommended not to exceed 30-50 grams per day to avoid side effects. Consuming sea cucumber in moderation is advisable, as excessive seafood and high protein can increase the burden on the kidneys. Therefore, the specific amount should be determined according to the patient's kidney function, creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels.