The most common presenting complaint* for RCCs is haematuria, either visible or non-visible. Patients may also report flank pain, flank mass, or non-specific symptoms, such as lethargy or weight loss. Around 50% of diagnosed RCCs are detected incidentally on abdominal imaging.
In one review of 309 consecutive patients with RCC, the most common presenting symptoms were hematuria, abdominal mass, pain, and weight loss [2].
blood in your urine (haematuria) – the amount of blood is usually high enough to change the colour of your urine to a reddish or dark brown colour. a persistent pain in your side, just below the ribs. a lump or swelling in the area of your kidneys (on either side of the body)
History. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may remain clinically occult for most of its course. The classic triad of flank pain, hematuria, and flank mass is uncommon (10%) and is indicative of advanced disease.
The most common places that kidney cancer can spread to are the lung and lymph nodes.
Research has suggested that kidney tumors grow at an average of 0.3 cm per year. However, a study of 49 people with kidney cancer, published in 2015, found rates ranging from 0.2 to 6.5 cm per year, with an average of 2.13 cm.
blood in your pee – you may notice your pee is darker than usual or reddish in colour. a persistent pain in your lower back or side, just below your ribs. a lump or swelling in your side (although kidney cancer is often too small to feel) extreme tiredness.
Some possible signs and symptoms of kidney cancer include: Blood in the urine (hematuria) Low back pain on one side (not caused by injury) A mass (lump) on the side or lower back.
Five Early Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
For tumors of sufficient size you may experience symptoms such as: stomach pain, fatigue, blood in the urine and back pain. As kidney tumors become larger they can cause more distinct complications as they place pressure on organs in the abdomen.
Stage I: The tumor is 7 cm or smaller and is only located in the kidney. It has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs (T1, N0, M0). Stage II: The tumor is larger than 7 cm and is only located in the kidney. It has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs (T2, N0, M0).
Up to 40% of 2cm renal masses are benign and only a small percentage, 10%, are high-grade RCC. [9][10] In contrast, up to 30% of 4cm or larger renal masses are high-grade cancer.
The preferred method of imaging renal cell carcinomas is dedicated renal computed tomography (CT). In most cases, this single examination can detect and stage RCC and provide information for surgical planning.
Often, kidney cancer is found when a person has an imaging test, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scan (see Diagnosis), for another reason. In its earliest stages, kidney cancer causes no pain.
Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Carcinoma (HLRCC) is considered one of the most aggressive forms of kidney cancer. A key characteristic of this cancer is the lack of an enzyme called fumarate hydratase (FH).
Today, most kidney tumors are found incidentally during imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan or MRI. While some small tumors are destined to stay small and not cause harm, others can have aggressive behavior and earlier detection improves outcome.
Flank pain is discomfort in your upper abdomen or back and sides. It may occur when your kidneys are inflamed or from a growing tumor.
Lumps or skin thickening on breasts or armpits. Skin changes such as a rash, dimpled skin or skin reddening. Changes to your nipples such as dryness, leaking or inverted nipples.
About two-thirds of people are diagnosed when the cancer is located only in the kidney. For this group, the 5-year relative survival rate is 93%. If kidney cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or organs and/or the regional lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate is 72%.
Oncocytoma. This is a slow-growing type of kidney cancer that rarely, if ever, spreads.
The earlier the cancer is diagnosed-the better the chances of survival. The five-year survival rate for all kidney cancers is about 74%. If the cancer spreads over the body, then this rate falls to about 12%. The five-year survival for localized kidney and renal pelvis cancer is 92.5%.
Who gets kidney cancer? Kidney cancer is more common among older people and occurs more often among men than women and among Whites than Blacks. The risk of getting kidney cancer increases with age, most often occurring in people over the age of 50. However, kidney cancer does occur among children.