Kidney cancers originate in the kidneys and can spread to other parts of the body. The kidney cells become cancerous and begin to grow at a rapid pace, forming a tumor. The most common form of kidney cancer is Renal Cell Carcinoma, in which the tumor forms in the tiny tubes in the kidneys. Here is a list of the most common symptoms and treatments of kidney cancer.

Symptoms of kidney cancer

The initial stages of kidney cancer normally do not cause any symptoms. They only begin to appear when the tumor grows in size. The common symptoms of kidney cancer are as follows:

• Hematuria or blood in the urine
• A lump on the side or lower back
• Pain in the lower back or on one side
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss
• Persistent fever that is not caused by any infection
• Low count of red blood cells in the body or anemia

It is important to understand that these signs and symptoms may also be caused due to other benign diseases. So you must consult a doctor about these symptoms and treatments of kidney cancer at the earliest to be sure.

Treatments options for kidney cancer

Treatment options depend on factors like the age of the patient, past medical history, overall health, and stage of cancer. Below is a list of the most common treatment options:

• Surgery: Mostly, this is the first line of treatment that doctors recommend. In this, the surgeon removes a part of the kidney that is affected along with the tissue around the tumor. If necessary, they also remove nearby lymph nodes. With laparoscopic surgery, only a small incision is made.
• Embolization: This is a common treatment option for patients who cannot undergo surgery. In this, doctors insert a catheter and pass a synthetic material through the catheter into the blood vessels. This synthetic material blocks the blood supply to the kidney and cuts the oxygen to the tumor, shrinking it.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment that uses powerful medicines to kill abnormal cells in the kidney. However, chemotherapy is often associated with several side effects that eventually wean off as the treatment gets over.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a powerful form of treatment that reinforces the body’s immune system to fight against cancer cells. This treatment again comes with several potential side effects such as nausea, elevated body temperature, chills, and loss of appetite.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy does not cure cancer. However, it helps shrink the size of the tumor and slow down the spread of cancerous cells. Common side effects of this include fatigue and nausea.

These are the most common symptoms and treatments for kidney cancer. You must consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms for timely diagnosis and treatment.