Kidney Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

• Kidney cancer is among the top 10 most common cancers in the U.S. today—and rates are rising. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 80,000 people were diagnosed with the disease in 2024.

  Finding kidney cancer early can significantly improve your chances of survival. While every patient’s cancer journey is unique, when kidney cancer is caught before it can spread to other parts of the body, more than 90% of patients survive for at least five years.

  But early detection can be a challenge. Kidney cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms in its earliest stages. And when signs of the disease start, they often overlap with signs and symptoms of other common health conditions.

  Knowing what to look for—and talking with your doctor if you experience possible symptoms of kidney cancer—can help ensure that you get an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.  

  Know the signs and symptoms of kidney cancer

  Most people won’t have symptoms of kidney cancer until it spreads, in part because the kidneys are located deep inside the body. But there are some telltale markers to look out for:  

  • Blood in the urine.
  • Middle-back pain on one side.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • An unexplained fever that lingers.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • A lump in the stomach area, side, or lower back.
  • Anemia (low red blood cell levels).
  • Night sweats.
  • Fatigue.

  Having these symptoms doesn’t mean that you definitely have kidney cancer. In fact, most of the time they’re caused by other health conditions, such as urinary tract or bladder infections.  

  Still, if you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to let your doctor know right away. They can help determine the cause of your symptoms and make sure you get the treatment you need.  

  Early detection improves outcomes

  Discovering kidney cancer early is one of the best ways to ensure that treatment is successful. While there are no recommended screening tests for people at average risk of developing kidney cancer, you should talk with your doctor about screening if you have a family history of the disease.  

  Your doctor may also suggest getting screened for kidney cancer if you have certain genetic conditions, including:  

  • Hereditary papillary renal carcinoma.  
  • Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma.  
  • BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome.  
  • Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome.  
  • Paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma syndromes.  
  • Tuberous sclerosis.
  • Von Hippel-Lindau disease.  

  People with advanced kidney disease or those who’ve received a kidney transplant may also have a higher chance of developing kidney cancer.  

  Experienced, comprehensive care

  Research shows that beginning your treatment in a center specializing in cancer can improve outcomes. At Fox Chase Cancer Center, our kidney cancer team is renowned for preserving the kidneys during cancer treatment—even when patients have been told elsewhere that their kidneys must be removed.  

  Fox Chase offers a full spectrum of kidney cancer treatments, including our internationally recognized kidney-sparing surgery and several minimally invasive surgeries aimed at reducing patient recovery times. We also offer a world-renowned active surveillance program to monitor smaller kidney tumors. And we perform image-guided alternatives to surgery—like kidney tissue ablation that uses cold temperatures and special radio waves to destroy cancer cells.

  To schedule your consultation, call 888-369-2427 or request an appointment online.