One possible symptom of early kidney cancer may be extreme fatigue. Since the early stages of kidney cancer are rarely accompanied by noticeable symptoms, however, many patients don't find out that they are afflicted with this disease until the late stages. At this time, symptoms of kidney cancer can include discolored urine, weight loss, and pain. One may also be able to feel a lump or swelling in the vicinity of the kidney.
Fatigue, or tiredness, is one of the early symptoms of kidney cancer. This fatigue can be very severe. A person with kidney cancer may feel as though he can't easily perform normal daily tasks or even get out of bed in the morning. He may also feel like taking frequent naps throughout the day.
Weight loss is another of the common symptoms of kidney cancer. This is typically an extreme drop in weight. It will also usually occur very quickly.
Blood in the urine is a common symptom of kidney cancer. Instead of being pale yellow or clear, blood will make urine appear brownish or rust colored. It may also be red or pink.
Pain is another one of the most common symptoms of kidney cancer. This pain is often very severe and intense, and it is typically a constant pain. Most of the time, this pain will be felt in the flank area, which is the area where the ribs connect with the spine. Sometimes, however, the pain may also be felt in the side or the abdomen.
A lump in the abdomen is often another symptom of kidney cancer. In young children, this lump may be caused by a type of kidney cancer known as Wilm's tumor. In adults, a mass may be felt by the kidney cancer sufferer himself. In many cases, however, this is usually discovered during a physical examination or an imaging test performed by a medical professional.
It is recommended that an individual seek medical attention when he becomes aware of certain symptoms of kidney cancer. Generally speaking, the earlier the diagnosis, the more positive the kidney cancer prognosis.
When a doctor is trying to either confirm or rule out kidney cancer, he will usually begin with a physical examination of the patient first. He will check vital signs, like blood pressure and body temperature, as well as feel the abdomen for swelling or lumps. He will also take urine and blood samples. He may also perform certain internal imaging tests, like CT scans or ultrasounds, which can be used to locate tumors and masses.