| Because early diagnosis is so critical to improving | | | | Smoking: Approximately one-third of all cases of |
| survival rates, those at risk for the disease need | | | | renal cell carcinoma (the most common form of |
| to be able to recognize kidney cancer symptoms. | | | | kidney cancer) in men and one-quarter of cases in |
| If you're curious about whether you're at risk for | | | | women are likely caused by smoking. |
| this cancer and any potential signs or symptoms | | | | Analgesic Medication: Addictions to painkillers that |
| you should watch out for, keep reading. | | | | contain phenactin, which is no longer approved in |
| Symptoms | | | | the United States, can dramatically increase a |
| Bloody Urine: Bloody urine is a common sign of | | | | person's risk for kidney cancer. |
| kidney cancer. However, like many kidney cancer | | | | Exposure at the Work Place: Workers who are |
| symptoms, it can also be associated with bladder | | | | exposed to products like organic solvents, |
| cancer and other bladder-related ailments. | | | | petroleum by-products, camium and asbestos all |
| Back Pain: Many people diagnosed with kidney | | | | have an increased risk for developing kidney |
| cancer experience low back pain that isn't | | | | cancer. |
| associated with an injury or other physical ailment. | | | | Genetic Disorders: Genetic disorders of the |
| Lump or Bump: In many kidney cancer cases, a | | | | kidney, such as tuberous sclerosis, von |
| mass or lump can be felt in the stomach. | | | | Hippel-Lindau disease or a heavy family history of |
| General Fatigue: Though fatigue is not a specific | | | | the disease can all increase a person's risk for |
| symptom, meaning it's often found in other | | | | developing kidney cancer. |
| diseases and cancer, it's a common symptom of | | | | Obesity: People who are obese or very |
| kidney cancer that can help doctors make a | | | | overweight are more at risk for developing renal |
| diagnosis. | | | | cell kidney cancer than those who maintain a |
| Loss of Appetite: Unintentional weight loss that | | | | healthy body weight. |
| happens quickly can be a symptom of kidney | | | | Kidney Failure: People with a history of kidney |
| cancer. Many patients lose their appetites, have | | | | failures may develop cysts in their kidneys as a |
| trouble eating and digesting, and tend to lose | | | | result. These cysts can expedite the development |
| weight quickly. | | | | of kidney cancer. |
| Fever: Frequent fevers that aren't connected to | | | | Advancing Age: Typically, renal cell carcinoma only |
| some other infection, flu or cold are often | | | | develops in adults over the age of fifty and under |
| associated with kidney cancer. | | | | seventy. |
| Swelling: Edema, also known as swelling in the | | | | Male or Female: Men are twice more likely to |
| lower legs is a typical kidney cancer symptom | | | | develop kidney cancer, like renal cell carcinoma, |
| most apparent in women. | | | | than women. |
| Higher Blood Pressure: Like many of the other | | | | If you have or have been exposed to any of the |
| symptoms listed above, high blood pressure can | | | | above risk factors for kidney cancer, it's critical |
| be attributed to numerous other diseases. | | | | that you be aware of kidney cancer symptoms. |
| However, if discovered alongside other | | | | Should you experience any of the listed |
| symptoms, it can often be a good indicator for | | | | symptoms, be sure to talk to your doctor |
| the disease. | | | | without delay. |
| Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer | | | | |