Signs and symptoms of kidney cancer

A sign is something that can be observed and recognized by a doctor or healthcare professional (for example, a rash). A symptom is something that only the person experiencing it can feel and know (for example, pain or tiredness).

Kidney cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages because the kidneys have few nerves, so tumours can grow without causing any pain or discomfort. The location of the kidneys deep inside the body means that tumours have space to grow very large before they are found. Symptoms appear once the tumour grows into surrounding tissues and organs.

Most people with kidney cancer have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Up to one-third of people without any signs or symptoms will have their kidney cancer found during an ultrasound or x-ray for reasons other than kidney cancer.

The signs and symptoms of kidney cancer can also be caused by other health conditions. It is important to have any unusual symptoms checked by a doctor.

Signs and symptoms of kidney cancer are:

• blood in the urine (hematuria)
• pain in the back and side of the abdomen (flank)
• lump that can be felt in the abdomen
• paraneoplastic syndrome – abnormal levels of hormones released by the kidney that causes:
  • high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • fatigue, paleness and malaise caused by a low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • high blood calcium (hypercalcemia)
  • fever
  • night sweats
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • amyloidosis – abnormal protein buildup in the body's organs and tissues
  • increased numbers of red blood cells
• swelling (edema) of the legs and ankles

Rare signs and symptoms

Rare signs and symptoms of kidney cancer are:

• in older men – a large, visible, swollen vein (varicocele) in the scrotum
  • This sign usually appears quite suddenly or quickly.
  • It is caused by a large kidney tumour that has grown into the renal vein and changed the blood flow through the spermatic vein.
• Stauffer's syndrome – abnormal liver function tests when there are no tumours or disease in the liver