Renal cancer, also known as kidney cancer, occurs in the renal (kidney) tissue. The primary responsibility of this tissue is to filter blood and form urine, which is why most symptoms of kidney cancer are related to the urine and affect the abdomen or lower back area. End-stage renal cancer is fatal and has no treatment. This makes it all the more important to accurately diagnose the disease in time to seek the right treatment. Given below are the signs of renal cancer to watch out for, which can help with the same.

• Blood in urine

This is a common sign of renal cancer. When the urine appears to be pink, red, or rust-colored, it can mean that there is blood in it. This condition of urinating blood is also called hematuria. Those with renal cancer might see blood in their urine inconsistently, on every other day. Alternatively, blood in the urine can also occur due to a kidney infection or kidney stone.

• Fatigue

Constant fatigue is a common symptom of kidney cancer too. It makes one unable to participate in the simplest of activities and patients feel a sense of persistent exhaustion even with minimal physical activity. This symptom intensifies during the later stages of renal cancer. Book an appointment with the doctor if this symptom lasts for several days.

• Lower back pain

Kidney cancer can cause a throbbing pain in the lower back area. Patients tend to have immense pain on either side of the lower back. In some cases, however, people might only feel a mild ache in the flank region. The flank is the portion between the ribs and the lower back. Some might also feel a pressure, rather than pain. Most patients experience back pain once the cancer from the kidneys has spread to other parts of the body. So, if the pain persists without any obvious cause, it might be a symptom of renal cancer.

• Unusual loss in appetite and weight loss

Losing interest in eating, or not feeling hungry for no reason whatsoever, might be a problem you have to deal with sooner rather than later. If this is coupled with unusual weight loss, it can be one of the signs of renal cancer. People with kidney cancer might have recurring fevers that may occur without being infected by a virus. When body temperature increases during a fever, it accelerates metabolism and burns fat too. This results in weight loss. If there’s a prolonged loss in weight and appetite, it’s best to consult a doctor at the earliest.

• Developing an abdominal lump

Spotting a lump in the abdomen, sides, or back can be an indication of kidney cancer. This happens due to the gradual growth in the tumor’s size as it becomes a hard round bump. It can also become visible in a few cases, as a thickened portion of mass protruding outward. If the mass or a lump is discovered, a biopsy or ultrasound might be necessary to identify if the growth is related to renal cancer, or if it’s non-cancerous.