Kidney cancer is one of the more "silent forms" of the disease, as it exhibits very few warning signs.
In around half of all cases of kidney cancer, there are no symptoms and it gets detected during tests for other unrelated conditions, according to the NHS. But there are certain fed flags that could help lead to a diagnosis.
There are around 13,000 new cases of kidney cancer in the UK annually and early detection is crucial in improving chances of survival. According to Cancer Research UK, it has a 52 percent survival rate, while 34 percent of cases are preventable.
It is detected through various scans, like a CT, an MRI or ultrasound, which is why doctors may only pick up on it during routine check ups. In 2015, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidelines to help GPs recognise its signs and symptoms to refer people for the right tests faster.
As the condition's symptoms don't appear in the early stages, it is also important to know the risk factors for kidney cancer to prevent it.
Kidney cancer symptoms
According to the NHS, the most common symptoms of mid- to advanced-stage kidney cancer are:
- blood in your urine (haematuria) – the amount of blood is usually high enough to change the colour of your urine to a reddish or dark brown colour
- a persistent pain in your side, just below the ribs
- a lump or swelling in the area of your kidneys (on either side of the body)
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially more than one, contact your GP immediately so they can refer you for further tests.
Less common symptoms of kidney cancer include:
- extreme tiredness (fatigue) or anaemia
- unintentional weight loss
- a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above
- night sweats
- a general sense of feeling unwell
- swelling of the veins in the testicles (in men)
- loss of appetite
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
Kidney cancer risk factors
The exact cause of kidney cancer is unknown, but there are risk factors that can increase the chances of developing the condition.
The main risk factors for kidney cancer are:
- obesity – a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more
- smoking – the more you smoke, the greater the risk
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- family history – you're more likely to get kidney cancer if you have a close relative with it
- some inherited genetic conditions
- long-term dialysis – a treatment for chronic kidney disease where a machine does some of the jobs of the kidney
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our newsletter here.
