Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is a form of cancer that can be caused by a variety of unhealthy factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure and cigarette smoking. There are some clear symptoms of kidney cancer as well as others that may not seem as obvious at first. If someone suspects that they may have it, they should have their symptoms checked by a doctor as soon as possible. There are a few symptoms of kidney cancer that clearly indicate what the problem might be. One obvious indicator is blood in the urine, which may be pink, red or cola colored. Persistent back pain just below the ribs is also a sign that there may be a serious problem with the kidneys.
Other symptoms can be easy to miss because they are symptoms of so many other conditions. For example, fatigue and weight loss are symptoms that could easily be attributed to a number of different ailments. Intermittent fever is also a symptom that many people may not immediately associate with this condition. When someone suspects that they might have kidney cancer, there are a few tests that the doctor will do to make the final diagnosis. A urine test will determine the amount of blood in the urine in addition to other indicators of disease. The doctor will most likely also administer a blood test to evaluate the regular function of the kidneys. Doctors may also perform a test in which they will inject dye into the body that will make any tumors or abnormalities clearly visible in a CAT scan.
People who have high blood pressure or who are obese are at risk, in addition to people who have high risk occupations, such as those who come into regular contact with asbestos or cadmium. The symptoms may be difficult to identify, so those who are at risk should pay close attention to their bodily functions. The earlier that someone detects it, the better chance they will have of beating it.