It’s National Kidney Cancer Awareness Month — Protect Yourself With Knowledge
You probably don’t give much thought to your kidneys, the two bean-shaped organs situated just below your rib cage on either side of your spine. But, these vital organs serve an important role in filtering waste and water from your blood. This helps to control the fluid levels in your body, assists with the production of red blood cells, promotes healthy bones and regulates your blood pressure. If your kidney function is impaired due to the presence of cancer or another condition, water and waste may flow back into your blood instead of being carried out of your body in your urine.
Early-stage kidney cancer, or renal cell carcinoma, usually does not produce any symptoms. The most common sign is hematuria, a painless urination of blood. Hematuria can also result from other conditions, such as a bladder infection or kidney stones. Therefore, it’s important to see a physician right away for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Some other kidney cancer symptoms that you should be aware of include:
- Persistent pain or a palpable lump on one side of your abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
- Fever that is not associated with a known infection
By becoming familiar with your body, learning to recognize possible signs of kidney cancer and promptly consulting with a physician if anything unusual occurs, you can increase your likelihood of detecting cancerous changes early, which usually allows for a wider range of treatment options.
In the Urologic Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, our multispecialty team of world-renowned medical experts can perform a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms. If you are diagnosed with kidney cancer, we can develop an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs. We offer the latest options in chemotherapy and radiation therapy for kidney cancer, and our surgical team is experienced in performing innovative, minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopy and robot-assisted procedures.
If you’d like to learn more about kidney cancer symptoms or the diagnostic techniques and treatment options available at Moffitt Cancer Center, you can request an appointment by calling 1-888-663-3488 or completing our new patient registration form online. We accept patients with and without referrals.