Kidney cancer -- also called renal cancer
-- is a disease in which kidney cells become malignant (cancerous) and
grow out of control, forming a tumor. Almost all kidney cancers first
appear in the lining of tiny tubes (tubules) in the kidney. This type of
kidney cancer is called renal cell carcinoma.
The good news is that most of kidney cancers are found before they
spread (metastasize) to distant organs. And cancers caught early are
easier to treat successfully. However, these tumors can grow to be quite
large before they are detected.
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They lie in your lower abdomen on each side of your spine. Their main job is to clean your blood, removing waste products and making urine.
In many cases, people may have no early symptoms of
kidney cancer. As the tumor grows larger, symptoms may appear. You may
have one or more of these kidney cancer symptoms:
- Blood in your urine
- A lump in your side or abdomen
- A loss of appetite
- A pain in your side that doesn't go away
- Weight loss that occurs for no known reason
- Fever that lasts for weeks and isn't caused by a cold or other infection
- Extreme fatigue
- Anemia
- Swelling in your ankles or legs
Maybe you've had kidney cancer symptoms such as pain in your side, weight loss, or extreme fatigue.
Or maybe your doctor has found a lump in your side during a routine
exam or a sign of kidney cancer during a test for another disease.
Regardless, to confirm a diagnosis of kidney cancer, you will need a
thorough physical exam, health history, and tests.
Your doctor will feel your abdomen and side for lumps and check for fever and high blood pressure, among other things. You will also answer questions about your health habits, any past illnesses, and types of treatment.
