Blood in the urine is among the most common signs of kidney cancer in adults, though plenty of people get no warning at all in the early stage. Tumours are often picked up by accident, on a scan ordered for something else. When kidney cancer symptoms do show up, they tend to be a pain in the side that won’t go away, a lump, tiredness and weight loss. Most of these have more common causes, so they call for a check rather than alarm.
According to Prof. Dr. Sandeep Nayak, Surgical Oncologist at MACS Clinic, Bangalore why kidney cancer symptoms are easy to miss. “Early kidney cancer is usually quiet. Many tumours are found by chance, on a scan done for another reason. Blood in the urine, a lasting pain in the side or a lump should be checked. Most turn out to have another cause, and a urine test and a scan can settle the question.”
If you’d like to know more about tests or treatment for kidney cancer.
What Are the Common Signs of Kidney Cancer?
Most signs only show up after the tumour has had time to grow, and plenty of them look like something else.
Blood in the urine: It might look pink, red or the colour of cola, then clear up for a few days, which is exactly why people ignore it. The blood can also come from the bladder, so don’t brush it off. Our blog on warning signs of bladder cancer covers that side.
Pain in the side: A dull ache somewhere between the ribs and the waist that stays put even after you’ve rested.
A lump: Something you can feel, a swelling or lump in the side or back just under the ribs.
Tiredness and weight loss: Feeling worn out for weeks, going off your food, or losing weight when you haven’t been trying to.
Fever and sweating: A high temperature that doesn’t go away, or heavy sweating, including at night. Our page on kidney cancer treatment lists the symptoms and the tests used.
Why Is Early Kidney Cancer Often Missed?
A small tumour can sit inside the kidney for a long time without bothering anything.
No early symptoms: At that size it isn’t pressing on anything, so there’s usually no pain and no change in the urine.
Found by chance: A lot of them are spotted by accident, on an ultrasound or CT done for something like back pain or kidney stones.
Look-alike causes: Stones, urine infections and a pulled back muscle can feel the same, and they’re far more common.
The classic trio is rare: Blood in the urine, side pain and a lump together are rare. Someone can have a tumour and none of the three.
Signs of spread: Once the cancer has spread, you might get bone pain, a cough or breathlessness. Our blog on metastatic renal cell carcinoma covers these signs.
Why Is Early Kidney Cancer Often Missed?
A small tumour can sit inside the kidney for a long time without bothering anything.
No early symptoms: At that size it isn’t pressing on anything, so there’s usually no pain and no change in the urine.
Found by chance: A lot of them are spotted by accident, on an ultrasound or CT done for something like back pain or kidney stones.
Look-alike causes: Stones, urine infections and a pulled back muscle can feel the same, and they’re far more common.
The classic trio is rare: Blood in the urine, side pain and a lump together are rare. Someone can have a tumour and none of the three.
Signs of spread: Once the cancer has spread, you might get bone pain, a cough or breathlessness. Our blog on metastatic renal cell carcinoma covers these signs.
What Determines Treatment Choice?
Once a scan picks up a tumour, the plan comes down to a handful of tests and findings.
Urine and blood tests: They look for blood in the urine and show how well the kidneys are working. They can’t confirm cancer on their own.
Imaging: An ultrasound usually comes first, then a CT or MRI, which show how big the tumour is, where it sits and whether it has spread.
Tumour size and position: With a smaller tumour, it may be possible to save part of the kidney. Our blog on partial vs radical nephrectomy explains the difference.
Spread: If it has spread, surgery alone may not be enough and drug treatment gets added.
General health and kidney function: How well the other kidney works and how fit you are for surgery also count towards the final call.
Key Takeaways
- Early kidney cancer is often silent, and plenty of tumours get found by chance on scans.
- Blood in the urine is one of the commoner signs. A lasting side pain, a lump, tiredness, weight loss or fever can show up too.
- Most of these signs usually have everyday causes, but each one still deserves a check, and a urine test with a scan can usually sort it out.
- Treatment depends on the size and position of the tumour, whether it has spread and how well the kidneys work, so it’s best talked through with a specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest sign of kidney cancer?
Often there is none. Blood in the urine tends to be one of the first things people notice.
Does blood in the urine always mean kidney cancer?
No. Stones, infections and bladder problems are more common causes, but it still needs checking.
Can kidney cancer cause no symptoms at all?
Yes. Many early tumours turn up by chance, on scans done for some other reason.
Which tests check for kidney cancer?
Urine and blood tests first, then an ultrasound, CT or MRI to get a proper look at the kidney.
References
- Symptoms of kidney cancer (NHS)
This page explains that kidney cancer often causes no obvious symptoms and is usually found while testing for something else, and lists the symptoms to watch for. - Renal cell carcinoma presenting with haematuria and flank pain (PMC, NIH)
This case report in an emergency medicine journal notes that kidney cancer in adults may show up as blood in the urine or flank pain, but more often as vague symptoms like tiredness and loss of appetite.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis.
