The kidneys are two organs in the body that filter the blood and remove waste material and excess water by making urine that is expelled as waste. Cancer is the growth of malignant (abnormal) cells within the body. Kidney cancer — also called renal cancer — is a disease in which kidney cells become malignant (cancerous) and grow out of control, forming a tumor. Kidney cancer is one of the top ten most common cancers, and it is most often discovered in men over fifty. The Common risk factors of kidney include smoking, obesity, family history of kidney cancer and High blood pressure.

Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

Unfortunately, kidney cancer rarely causes visible signs or symptoms in its early stages.

• Blood in the Urine – This is the most common symptom of kidney cancer. Doctors call this haematuria. About half of the people diagnosed with kidney cancer will have this symptom when they first go to the doctor. The blood does not have to be there all the time. It can come and go. Sometimes, the blood cannot be seen by the naked eye but can be picked up by a simple urine test. If you ever see blood in your urine, you should go to the doctor.

Consult your doctor immidiately if you have pain or a swelling or lump in your kidney area (on either side of your body, just below your ribcage). You should also see your doctor if you have blood in your urine. Although it’s highly unlikely to be caused by kidney cancer, it could be a symptom of a less serious condition that still requires treatment, such as a kidney stone or bladder stone.