Common Manifestations and Root Causes Coupled with Kidney Cancer

Sep 4
06:54

2008

Trevor Price

Trevor Price

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Because five-year survival rates increase significantly in patients who are diagnosed early, detection of kidney cancer symptoms is critical.

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Because early diagnosis is so critical to improving survival rates,Common Manifestations and Root Causes Coupled with Kidney Cancer Articles those at risk for the disease need to be able to recognize kidney cancer symptoms. If you're curious about whether you're at risk for this cancer and any potential signs or symptoms you should watch out for, keep reading.

Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

Blood in the Urine (hematuria): Blood in the urine is the most common of all the kidney cancer symptoms.

Lower Back Pain: Many kidney cancer patients complain of a lower back that's unrelated to an injury or other causes.

Lump or Bump: In many kidney cancer cases, a mass or lump can be felt in the stomach.

Fatigue: Fatigue is a common symptom of many kidney cancer patients. They feel weak, lethargic and unable to maintain high energy levels. Unfortunately, this is a very general symptom associated with numerous diseases.

Loss of Appetite: Unintentional weight loss that happens quickly can be a symptom of kidney cancer. Many patients lose their appetites, have trouble eating and digesting, and tend to lose weight quickly.

Frequent Fevers: Fevers that are consistent, frequent and not connected to other infections (like a flu) can be a symptom of kidney cancer.

Swelling: Swelling in the legs and ankles (also known as edema) is a common kidney cancer symptom.

Higher Blood Pressure: Like many of the other symptoms listed above, high blood pressure can be attributed to numerous other diseases. However, if discovered alongside other symptoms, it can often be a good indicator for the disease.

Risk Factors and Causes of Kidney Cancer

Smoking: Smoking is the cause of 30% of renal cell carcinoma (common kidney cancer) cases in male smokers and 25% of cases in women.

Analgesic Abuse: Overusing and abusing pain killers that contain phenactin (no longer prescribed in the U.S.) can increase the risk for kidney cancer.

Exposure at the Work Place: Workers who are exposed to products like organic solvents, petroleum by-products, camium and asbestos all have an increased risk for developing kidney cancer.

Genetic Disorders: Genetic disorders of the kidney, such as tuberous sclerosis, von Hippel-Lindau disease or a heavy family history of the disease can all increase a person's risk for developing kidney cancer.

Obesity: People who are obese or very overweight are more at risk for developing renal cell kidney cancer than those who maintain a healthy body weight.

Kidney Failure: People with a history of kidney failures may develop cysts in their kidneys as a result. These cysts can expedite the development of kidney cancer.

Advancing Age: Typically, renal cell carcinoma only develops in adults over the age of fifty and under seventy.

Gender: RCC (renal cell carcinoma) kidney cancer is twice as common in men than women.

If any of the listed risk factors apply to you, be sure to keep a watchful eye out for potential kidney cancer symptoms. Should any start presenting themselves, consult your physician immediately.