Renal%20cancer Signs and Symptoms
Introduction
- Also known as renal adenocarcinoma or hypernephroma
Definition
- Disease in which the cells in certain tissues of the kidney start to grow uncontrollably and form a tumor
Signs and Symptoms
- Classic triad of symptoms:
- Flank pain
- Palpable abdominal mass
- Gross hematuria
Other Symptoms
- Anemia
- Fever
- Hepatic dysfunction
- Loss of appetite
- Malaise
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Varicocele
Risk Factors
- Ages between 50-70 years old
- Men are 2-3 times more likely to develop kidney cancer than women
- Chronic hepatitis C infection
- Chronic kidney disease or in long-term dialysis
- Exposure to cadmium and asbestos
- Family history of kidney cancer and hereditary diseases (eg von Hippel-Lindau, hereditary papillary renal carcinoma, Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex)
- Africans have higher rates than Americans
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Overuse of medications such as Aspirin, Paracetamol and Ibuprofen
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Tobacco smoking