Kidney cancer symptoms: signs to look for and when to see a GP

Kidney cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. The NHS says it is usually found when testing for something else, and Cancer Research UK calls this an incidental diagnosis: the cancer is found by chance on a scan done for another reason.

When there are symptoms, the NHS lists the following. Some are specific to the kidney area and some are vague, general signs that can come from many illnesses.

• Blood in your pee, which may be bright pink, red or dark brown.

• A lump or swelling in your back, under your ribs or in your neck.

• Pain between your ribs and waist that does not go away.

• Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying.

• Feeling tired or having no energy.

• A high temperature that does not go away.

• Sweating a lot, including at night.

Cancer Research UK says blood in the urine is the most common symptom of kidney cancer. The blood does not have to be there all the time and it can come and go. Sometimes it cannot be seen by the naked eye, in which case a simple urine test can pick it up.

Most blood in the urine is not cancer. Cancer Research UK points out that it can also be caused by an infection, an enlarged prostate or kidney stones. Even so, it always needs checking, so see your GP if you see blood in your pee, even once.

Cancer Research UK says a pain in the side between the ribs and the hip (the flank) can be a sign of kidney cancer, and that it may go round to the lower back. It can also be caused by other things, such as an infection or kidney stones, so see a doctor if you keep getting it.

A lump or swelling in the area of the kidneys should also be checked. Cancer Research UK notes that most kidney cancers are too small for you or a doctor to feel, but a doctor can arrange an ultrasound scan.

Cancer Research UK adds that high blood pressure and having fewer red blood cells than normal (anaemia) can be symptoms of kidney cancer, because they are related to hormones the kidneys produce. A high temperature and sweats can be caused by infection, which a doctor may want to rule out first.

The NHS asks you to get help promptly because the symptoms can look like a kidney infection, which can be serious if it is not treated quickly.

• Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 now if your pee is smelly, cloudy or has blood in it, it is painful to pee or you need to pee suddenly or more often, or you have pain in your back under your ribs that does not go away.

• Get help the same way if you have pain in your genitals, or a lump or swelling in your back, under your ribs or in your neck.

• See a GP if you have lost a noticeable amount of weight, a high temperature that does not go away, or no energy or extreme tiredness.

• Cancer Research UK says to see your doctor about any symptoms of kidney cancer that do not go away.

The NHS says the GP may examine you to feel for lumps or swelling in your back or neck, and may ask you for a pee sample or a blood test.

If the GP thinks your symptoms could be cancer you may get an urgent referral for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital. The NHS stresses that an urgent referral does not definitely mean you have cancer.

If you are referred to a specialist, the NHS says you will usually have some tests and scans. It can take several weeks to get the results of your tests, and the NHS says that taking a long time does not mean anything is definitely wrong; you can call the hospital or GP if you are worried.

The NHS says anyone can get kidney cancer, but you may be more likely to if you have a close relative with kidney cancer, smoke, are overweight or living with obesity, have high blood pressure, have a certain inherited genetic condition such as tuberous sclerosis, or are having long-term dialysis for chronic kidney disease. It says kidney cancer is most common in people over 60.

The NHS says you cannot always prevent kidney cancer but that losing weight if you are overweight, quitting smoking and managing high blood pressure by cutting back on salt, alcohol and caffeine can lower your chances. It adds that you should still get symptoms checked even if you do not fit any higher-risk group.

The NHS says treatment depends on the type of kidney cancer, where it is and how big it is, whether it has spread and your general health. Options include surgery, cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, targeted medicines, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

If kidney cancer is found early and has not spread, surgery to remove it may be possible. The NHS names two main operations: removing a kidney (nephrectomy), and removing the cancer while leaving as much of the kidney as possible (partial nephrectomy). Targeted medicines may be used if the cancer has spread or has come back, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy are not used very often.

On the NHS, symptoms such as blood in the pee are assessed by a GP, who can arrange urine and blood tests and, if cancer is suspected, an urgent referral for scans and specialist review. A clinical nurse specialist is usually your main contact if cancer is diagnosed.

Private urology and imaging services can offer ultrasound, CT and consultant review, sometimes more quickly. If you use one, ask how results will be shared with your GP and which team will look after treatment, as kidney cancer is normally managed by a specialist multidisciplinary team.