Kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, is one of the most common cancers. It can be found in both adults and children, and it has very few symptoms. That’s why early detection is essential to ensure that it’s caught in time for successful treatment.
But when you do notice these warning signs, you should set up an appointment with your doctor to have a proper diagnosis.
In the early stages of kidney cancer, a small amount of urine may leak out on its own, but as the disease progresses, more and more urine may start to leak. It might also include blood in the urine, known as hematuria. If you have to change your clothes often because you’re uncomfortable going to the toilet and find it hard to get up, then this is a perfect sign that something may be wrong with your kidney.
Kidney cancer may start to destroy your kidney’s ability to perform essential functions like regulating blood pressure, controlling fluid and electrolyte levels, filtering toxins, and producing hormones. When you lose weight without any effort, this is usually a sign that something is wrong with your liver. It could be because you are not eating or drinking enough, or if you have a chronic disease, you may lose weight as a side effect of that disease.
When your kidney cancer has gotten to a stage where it can radiate up to the kidneys, and it’s metastasized to other organs or tissues in your body, you will start feeling pain in the lower back or midsection. You may also experience a burning sensation in your feet and ankles.
Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that grow in the urinary bladder and, if left untreated, can lead to kidney infections. These infections can be severe, especially if they travel to your kidneys and start spreading. Bacteria that live in your kidney may travel up to your urinary bladder, then travel back down your ureters, where they end up in your kidneys. When you notice a severe infection, immediately call your doctor because this is a sign of possible kidney cancer.
If you’re feeling tired all of the time, it might be an early sign that you have a chronic disease like kidney cancer. Kidney cancer is the most common cause of kidney failure, and it can be fatal. It starts with small changes in your urine, and then it gets worse until you can no longer function normally. The tiredness that you feel is a side effect of the damage to your kidneys. If it looks sunken, then this is another sign that something’s wrong with you, and you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
If you feel lumps in your kidney, it is most likely that you have a tumor because tumors can form anywhere in the body and are not necessarily linked to the kidneys. If your doctor confirms a lump on the kidney, but it hasn’t spread outside of it, then this may be some tissue growth. You can have benign, non-cancerous, or malignant tumors that are cancerous. This is not a cancerous tumor, so you can treat it by having surgery to remove it.
Bladder infections are caused by bacteria that become trapped in the urinary tract. That’s why you may notice blood in your urine, an increased urge to urinate, and a burning sensation when you go to the toilet. If you feel a stinging or burning sensation when you urinate, or if it burns or aches to pee, this is not normal, and it should be checked out immediately.
If you notice these symptoms, you should have an emergency doctor visit to diagnose and treat them properly. If cancer has not spread outside of the kidney, then it is good to be treated. If it has spread to other organs, then the prognosis is not good, and you might have to have treatment that will help you every day, even though it can’t cure you. If kidney cancer is diagnosed early, there’s an excellent chance of being cured.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.