| Because early diagnosis is so critical to improving | | | | symptoms, it can often be a good indicator for |
| survival rates, those at risk for the disease need | | | | the disease. |
| to be able to recognize kidney cancer symptoms. | | | | Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer |
| If you're curious about whether you're at risk for | | | | Smoking: Smoking is the cause of 30% of renal |
| this cancer and any potential signs or symptoms | | | | cell carcinoma (common kidney cancer) cases in |
| you should watch out for, keep reading. | | | | male smokers and 25% of cases in women. |
| Symptoms of the Disease | | | | Analgesic Abuse: Overusing and abusing pain killers |
| Bloody Urine: Bloody urine is a common sign. | | | | that contain phenactin (no longer prescribed in the |
| However, like many symptoms, it can also be | | | | U.S.) can increase the risk for the disease. |
| associated with bladder cancer and other | | | | Occupational Exposure: Exposure to carcinogenic |
| bladder-related ailments. | | | | materials at work like asbestos, petroleum |
| Back Pain: Many people diagnosed with kidney | | | | products, camium and certain organic solvents can |
| cancer experience low back pain that isn't | | | | all increase the risk for developing it. |
| associated with an injury or other physical ailment. | | | | Genetic Disorders: Genetic disorders that affect |
| Lump or Bump: In many cases, a mass or lump | | | | the kidney (e.g.: tuberous sclerosis) will increase |
| can be felt in the stomach. | | | | the risk. In addition, a strong family history (at |
| Fatigue: Fatigue is a common symptom of many | | | | least two close family members diagnosed with |
| patients. They feel weak, lethargic and unable to | | | | the disease) will also increase a patient's risk. |
| maintain high energy levels. Unfortunately, this is a | | | | Weight Gain: Obese people are at a higher risk for |
| very general symptom associated with numerous | | | | developing this cancer than others who keep their |
| diseases. | | | | weight at a reasonable and healthy level. |
| Loss of Appetite: Unintentional weight loss that | | | | Long-Term Kidney Failure: Persistent and |
| happens quickly can be a symptom of the | | | | consistent kidney failure can cause cysts to form |
| disease. Many patients lose their appetites, have | | | | in the kidney, therefore increasing the cancer risk. |
| trouble eating and digesting, and tend to lose | | | | Advancing Age: Typically, renal cell carcinoma only |
| weight quickly. | | | | develops in adults over the age of fifty and under |
| Fever: Frequent fevers that aren't connected to | | | | seventy. |
| some other infection, flu or cold are often | | | | Gender: RCC (renal cell carcinoma) is twice as |
| associated with it. | | | | common in men than women. |
| Swelling: Edema, also known as swelling in the | | | | If you have or have been exposed to any of the |
| lower legs is a typical symptom most apparent in | | | | above risk factors for kidney cancer, it's critical |
| women. | | | | that you be aware of kidney cancer symptoms. |
| Higher Blood Pressure: Like many of the other | | | | Should you experience any of the listed |
| symptoms listed above, high blood pressure can | | | | symptoms, be sure to talk to your doctor |
| be attributed to numerous other diseases. | | | | without delay. |
| However, if discovered alongside other | | | | |