Kidney cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK.
The disease can often be cured if it’s caught early, but if not diagnosed until after the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, a cure is not likely to be possible.
That’s why it’s important to recognise the symptoms of kidney cancer, in order to get a diagnosis as early as possible.
In many cases, there are no obvious symptoms when kidney cancer first develops.
The disease is sometimes only picked up during tests carried out for something else, and can be confused with symptoms of kidney stones or a urinary tract infection.
If symptoms do occur, they can include blood in the urine. You may notice your urine is darker than normal or reddish in colour – this could be a sign.
Blood in the urine could be caused by a number of things and isn’t usually serious, but the NHS still advises to see a GP if you experience it.
Blood in the urine should be checked out by a doctor even if there are no other symptoms, it’s only happened once, there’s a only a small amount of blood, or if you’re not sure it is blood.
Any sign of blood in the urine requires a visit to the doctor.
If it is a sign of kidney cancer, it could develop alongside other symptoms.
Other main symptoms of kidney cancer include a persistent pain in the lower back or side, just below the ribs, and a lump or swelling in the side.
In addition to the main symptoms, less obvious signs of the disease can include fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss, or persistent high blood pressure.
Fever, night sweats, swollen glands in the neck, bone pain and coughing up blood are also less obvious signs.
Some of those symptoms may only occur once the cancer is more advanced and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lungs.
In those cases, a cure is not probable, according to the NHS, although sometimes treatment can help to keep the cancer under control.
“Some people become ill quickly, but others may live for several years and feel well despite their cancer,” said the NHS.
If the cancer is still small and hasn’t spread beyond the kidney, surgery can often cure it.
Some small, slow growing cancers may not need treatment at first.
“See your GP if you have symptoms of kidney cancer,” said the NHS.
“Although it’s unlikely you have cancer, it’s important to get your symptoms checked out.”
