Is blood in urine a sign of kidney cancer?

Although blood in the urine is often caused by common things like urinary tract infections, kidney stones or minor trauma, if it persists, it can be a sign of a serious underlying tumor.

Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. Hematuria can occur intermittently and then disappear, leading many to mistakenly believe it's harmless. However, even if it only occurs once, this condition still requires medical attention.

When is blood in the urine related to kidney cancer?

According to studies published in the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), persistent hematuria may be an early sign of kidney cancer.

The kidneys function to filter waste products from the blood and maintain fluid balance. When a tumor develops, the small blood vessels in the kidneys can be damaged, causing blood to leak into the urine. Notably, kidney cancer often has no obvious symptoms in its early stages. Hematuria (blood in the urine) is sometimes the first warning sign, appearing even before pain or swelling.

Therefore, seek immediate medical attention if you have blood in your urine along with one or more of the following symptoms:

• Hip pain or pain on one side of the back that does not subside even with rest.
• Weight loss, fatigue, and prolonged loss of appetite.
• A lump or swelling may be palpable near the kidney.
• Mild fever, night sweats.

Blood in the urine accompanied by persistent flank pain or one-sided lower back pain may be a sign of kidney cancer.

PHOTO: AI

In addition, several factors such as smoking, age (over 50 years old), family history of kidney or urinary tract cancer, high blood pressure, and obesity can also increase the risk of developing the disease, according to the Times of India .

Individuals at high risk should undergo regular health checkups to detect any abnormalities early. Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in the treatment of kidney cancer, improving recovery chances and extending lifespan.

Other common causes of blood in the urine

Although kidney cancer is a serious cause, there are also cases of hematuria stemming from other causes:

Urinary tract infection (UTI): Causes inflammation of the lining of the urinary tract, leading to microscopic or macroscopic blood in the urine. Common symptoms include painful urination, frequent urination, and cloudy urine.

Kidney stones or bladder stones : Stones can rub against and cause bleeding in the urinary tract, often accompanied by back pain or hip pain.

Enlarged prostate (in men): An enlarged prostate can irritate the bladder or urethra, leading to blood in the urine.

High-intensity exercise : Some people may experience temporary microscopic hematuria after running or strenuous exercise.

Medications or injuries : Anticoagulants, certain antibiotics, or kidney injuries can all cause hematuria (blood in the urine).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tieu-ra-mau-co-phai-la-dau-hieu-cua-ung-thu-than-185251027155440561.htm