It can be quite difficult to detect kidney cancer. That is because the most common kidney cancer symptoms can often present symptoms like those for different kinds of infections and problems. So much so, in fact, that the body often doesn’t show any signs at all during the first stages of the disease. Hence, unless you have regular standard physical checkups with your physician, it is possible that you won’t detect this debilitating and horrific disease until it is too late.
Knowing the Common Kidney Cancer Symptoms:
There are a number of warning signs that you should be aware of. One of the key ones is that your urine becomes discolored because it has a very high blood count. That being said, blood being present in the urine can also be caused by a variety of other things, including kidney stones, kidney infections, trauma, urinary tract infections, and so on. However, if you notice that there is blood in your urine, that is a clear sign that something is wrong that will require treatment. A physician will usually run a number of other tests to determine what is going on. It is also very common for people who are in the early stages of kidney cancer to develop bouts of anemia and to break out in sweat without warning. If those symptoms are present as well as blood in the urine, it is more likely that the physician will suspect kidney cancer.
There are some other common kidney cancer symptoms to be aware of as well, although those are usually indicative of a more advanced stage of the disease, or a more aggressive version. Blood in the urine usually becomes a lot more noticeable. So much so, in fact, that it completely changes color, ranging from dark brown to bright pink in color.
During the Latter Stages:
Additionally, in later stages, people often experience back pain, which is chronic, persistent, and often truly debilitating. Usually, the pain is found just below or around the ribs. However, it is wholly different from other forms of back pain, such that it doesn’t respond to conventional treatments. Hot or cold packs, over the counter pain relief, or even prescription medication will not resolve this pain.
Another symptom to watch out for is weight loss. Often, this happens without any specific reason, meaning those affected are not eating less or exercising more. Additionally, patients may start to experience intermittent sudden fevers and chronic fatigue. Once these symptoms happen, however, someone is likely to be in the more advanced stages of cancer.
Kidney Cancer Treatment:
Kidney cancer is difficult to detect, unfortunately. However, having regular medical checkups and a physician who understands your medical history and knows whether you are at increase risk can go a long way towards detecting the cancer in its early stages. The earlier a cancer is spotted, the easier it is to treat. It is possible to recover from kidney cancer, but the longer someone waits before receiving treatment, the less likely it will be that the cancer will ever go into full remission.
Also, depending on the stage of the cancer, kidney cancer treatment options will vary. If you think you are experiencing any kidney cancer signs or symptoms, we recommend consulting with your local oncologist or urologist and get a professional diagnosis.
