Symptoms of kidney cancer

Kidney cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. It is usually found on an ultrasound or x-ray done for another reason. Signs and symptoms often appear as the tumour grows into surrounding tissues and organs. Other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as kidney cancer.

See your doctor if you have these signs or symptoms:

  • blood in the urine (pee) (called hematuria) (most common)
  • pain in the back and side of the abdomen
  • a lump that can be felt in the abdomen
  • swelling of the legs and ankles
  • high blood pressure
  • low red blood cell count (called anemia)
  • fatigue
  • night sweats
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • fever
  • for men, a large swollen vein in the scrotum( called a varicocele)

Expert review and references

  • American Cancer Society. Kidney Cancer Signs and Symptoms. 2017. https://www.cancer.org/.
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology. Kidney Cancer: Symptoms and Signs. 2018.
  • Findley DS, Shuch B & Pantuck AJ. Signs, symptoms and paraneoplastic syndromes. Scardino PT, Lineham WM, Zelefsky MJ & Vogelzang NJ (eds.). Comprehensive Textbook of Genitourinary Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011: 4(37): pp. 635-62.
  • Lane BR, Canter DJ, Rin BL, et al. Cancer of the kidney. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 63:865-884.
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Kidney Cancer (Version 2.2019).

Medical disclaimer

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