The kidneys help remove waste products and toxins from the blood and make urine. They also regulate electrolytes in the body and send signals to the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. When cells in your kidneys grow out of control, kidney cancer can occur.
Kidney cancer is rare, accounting for about 2% of all cancers in the United States. Most people with kidney cancer do not experience any symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms only begin to appear after the disease has progressed or when the tumors have grown larger. You may have blood in your urine, lower back pain, and unexplained weight loss.
Kidney cancer is a rare type of cancer that does not cause symptoms in its early stages.
Common symptoms of kidney cancer
Many people with kidney cancer have no symptoms in the early stages. In fact, kidney cancer is often found by chance during a physical exam or routine scan, such as an X-ray or MRI.
There are three main types of kidney cancer: renal cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, and Wilms tumor. As the disease progresses, you may experience symptoms that are common to all three types:
- Blood in urine
- Non-traumatic lower back pain
- A lump in the lower back or side of the abdomen
- loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Anemia
Symptoms of renal cell carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma, also known as renal adenocarcinoma, is the most common type of kidney cancer. It accounts for about 85% of all kidney cancers. Men are more likely to develop renal cell carcinoma than women, but the reason for this is not clear.
Renal cell carcinoma forms in the main part of the kidney. In its early stages, the cancer (tumor) is small and usually does not cause symptoms. About 25% of people with renal cell carcinoma do not experience any symptoms.
If you do have symptoms, you may notice blood in your urine, a lump in your lower back or side, or lower back pain. However, all of these symptoms together only occur in about 10% of people with renal cell carcinoma.
Transitional cell carcinoma symptoms
Transitional cell carcinoma accounts for about 7% of all kidney cancers. This type of cancer does not start in the main part of the kidney. Instead, transitional cell carcinoma starts in the renal pelvis, the upper part of the ureter. Your ureter is the tube that connects your kidney to your bladder. Cancer can remain in the renal pelvis or spread to the kidney or bladder as the malignant cells continue to grow.
The cells lining your ureters are called transitional cells because they have characteristics of cells found in the kidneys and bladder, but they can also change shape and stretch. Transitional cell carcinoma is also found in about 4% of people with bladder cancer.
You will not develop symptoms when transitional cell carcinoma is in its early stages. As the cancer grows, symptoms may progress to common symptoms of kidney cancer in addition to extreme fatigue and painful or frequent urination.
Wilms tumor symptoms
Wilms tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is a kidney cancer that occurs primarily in children, usually between the ages of 3 and 5. Tumors can develop in one or both kidneys. The condition is the most common kidney and stomach cancer and the fourth most common cancer in children.
Children with Wilms tumor often have no symptoms until the cancer has metastasized (spread). This explains why a swollen or enlarged abdomen is often the first symptom that may be noticed. Abdominal pain is the most common symptom, occurring in 30-40% of children with Wilms tumor.
Some other symptoms of this type include high blood pressure and nausea. About 25% of children with Wilms tumor have high blood pressure. Fortunately, in many cases, removing the tumor helps lower blood pressure.
When to contact your doctor
Kidney cancer is often detected during a routine check-up. However, if you notice any major symptoms such as blood in your urine, a lump or pain in the kidney area, or sudden weight loss, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors may order tests to confirm a diagnosis and guide your treatment plan.
Summary: Kidney cancer is a rare cancer that causes no symptoms in its early stages. Unfortunately, most people don't even know they have it unless their health care provider accidentally discovers it during a routine doctor's visit.
There are three main types of kidney cancer: renal cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, and Wilms tumor. They have many common symptoms, such as blood in the urine, pain or a lump in the lower back, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, and anemia. If you have these symptoms or may be at risk for kidney cancer, it is important to see your doctor right away so the disease can be detected early and treatment can begin.
Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/dau-hieu-dien-hinh-cua-ung-thu-than-172240531223014201.htm
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