Kidney cancer is not a very common type of cancer. Known to occur mostly in adults over 50 years of age, it is more common in men than in women. People who are obese and people who smoke are at a greater risk for this cancer. The causes can often be untraceable, but there are early warning symptoms of kidney cancer that you should know about.

Early warning symptoms of kidney cancer

• Prominent lumpy growth in the abdomen
  Cancerous cysts that grow in the kidneys often lead to prominent masses. These can sometimes be felt under the skin once the cyst starts increasing in size. For patients with tiny cancerous growths, the issue might only be spotted through CT scans. The size of the lump, the metastasis it causes, and other factors help determine the stage of kidney cancer. Based on the stage of progress, the doctor would then talk about the survival rate and the appropriate treatment options.
• Hematuria
  Kidney cancer patients might start noticing traces of blood in their urine. It is one of the earliest signs of the condition. Other early warning symptoms of kidney cancer like hard lumps and back pain might come as the mass enlarges. Nearly half of the patients diagnosed with renal carcinoma, another name for the condition, might observe blood in their urine occasionally. If you notice any traces of red or even brownish discharge in your urine, it is time to talk to your pulmonologist.
• Pain in the lower back
  People over 50 might experience back pains often and so this symptom is often missed. However, in the case of patients who have developed kidney cancer, pain in the lower back could indicate the growth of the tumor. The pressure that the growing tumor puts on the internal organs can, in turn, lead to discomfort in the stomach and lower back pain.
• Weight fluctuations
  Sudden weight loss could mean several things. Kidney cancer is also a health issue that can lead to this symptom. Drastic loss in weight here is also accompanied by a change in appetite. People with a tumor that has grown large might also start feeling full during their mealtime and this can impact the everyday food intake.
• Drop in the red blood cell count
  Anemia occurs in patients who are suffering from chronic kidney cancer. Erythropoietin production in the kidney drops when there is a tumor in the organ. This hormone plays a critical role in the healthy generation of red blood cells. Changes in the levels of this hormone, therefore, lead to fewer RBCs in some patients.

If you or anyone you know falls in the high-risk category for kidney cancer, look for these early warning symptoms of kidney cancer. Like most other cancer types, kidney cancer becomes easier to manage when it is diagnosed at an early stage.