Kidney cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the kidney. The most common symptoms of kidney cancer are blood in the urine and pain in the back or side, but these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away. Early detection of kidney cancer is important for treatment.
Other possible symptoms of kidney cancer include:
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Anemia
- Abdominal pain or lump
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor. Kidney cancer is often found at an early stage through blood and urine tests or imaging tests done for another reason.
Kidney cancer can also cause symptoms if it spreads to other parts of the body. If kidney cancer spreads to the lungs, it can cause shortness of breath, coughing, or chest pain. If it spreads to the brain, it can cause headaches, seizures, or changes in mental function.
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away. Early detection of kidney cancer is important for treatment.