Knowing the early signs and diagnosis of kidney cancer can help you get it treated before it is too late. This type of cancer is not as commonly observed in people as compared to lung or breast cancers. The American Cancer Society states that the chances of developing kidney cancer in your lifetime are lower than 2 percent.
The information about the early signs and diagnosis of kidney cancer provided herein will help you see if you’re at risk and know the kind of tests taken. For instance, the chances of kidney cancer heighten in people who are overweight, who smoke a lot, or who have been regularly exposed to chemicals like benzene and asbestos. These people should ideally talk to their physicians and be on the lookout for early signs and symptoms.
Early Signs of Kidney Cancer
Blood in your urine can be one of the symptoms of this cancer because symptoms will not start showing until the tumor has grown. Even if blood cannot be viewed by the naked eye, it can be spotted by the doctor through a urine test. But hematuria may indicate that you have some infection or kidney stone and may not always indicate cancer. Other early signs of kidney cancer include
- Pain in the sides or in the lower back
- Night sweats
- Persistent fever not because of an infection
- Overall sick feeling
- Heaviness in the abdomen, lower back, or sides
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swollen ankles
- Loss of appetite
- Anemia
- Expanded veins around the testicles
Different illnesses like the flu or back injuries can also be responsible for these afore-mentioned symptoms and signs. If they do not go away in time, you should reach out to your doctor.
Diagnosis Of Kidney Cancer
To be sure you have kidney cancer the doctor will suggest a thorough physical examination, tests, and health history. They will feel the abdomen as well as your sides to look for lumps. They will check for factors like hypertension and fever, and you have to provide details about past illnesses and health habits. The following tests are prescribed for an accurate diagnosis:
- Blood tests to see whether the kidneys are functioning properly
- Urine tests for checking hematuria or blood in the urine
- Ultrasound will use sound waves for creating images of the kidneys; these can detect if the tumors are fluid-filled or solid.
- An intravenous pyelogram will take X-rays of the kidneys once your doctor injects a dye that will go to the urinary tract and highlight any tumor on its way.
- MRIs will use radio waves and magnets for creating elaborate images of the soft bodily tissues. One may have to be injected with a contrasting agent for getting clear images.
- A renal arteriogram is a test for assessing blood supplies to the tumor for detection of smaller tumors.
- A biopsy may be done by removing a small portion of kidney tissue.