Kidney cancer arises when cells within the kidney exhibit uncontrolled growth, leading to the formation of a tumor.

This tumor can potentially spread through the bloodstream, affecting other parts of the body.

While it can occur at any age, kidney cancer is most prevalent among older adults, particularly those between 65 and 74 years old, with men being twice as likely to be diagnosed as women.

Symptoms of stage 1 kidney cancer may include, fatigue, flank pain, and blood in the urine, among others.

Recognizing Stage 1 Kidney Cancer in Women and Men

Stage 1 kidney cancer is confined to the kidney itself and has not spread to any surrounding tissues or lymph nodes. In this case, the tumor does not exceed 7 cm in size and usually does not show any symptoms at that stage.

Sometimes symptoms of stage 1 kidney cancer can appear as follows:

• Presence of blood in the urine, it may be visible or can be detected through a microscopic urine analysis.
• Lower back pain, it is usually severe in the area between the rib cage and the hips.
• Loss of appetite.
• Feeling very tired.
• Persistent fever of unknown cause.
• A mass that the patient may not feel, but the doctor can feel it during a routine examination. (Cancer Research UK, 2024)

How Kidney Cancer Symptoms Develop in Early Stages

Kidney cancer usually does not show any symptoms in its early stages, and in this case it is discovered by chance during routine examinations such as an X-ray or ultrasound examination.

If the tumor grows and begins to cause symptoms, symptoms of stage 1 kidney cancer may appear as follows:

• Blood in the urine that may be pink, red or brown.
• Constant and severe pain in the flank.
• Severe fatigue that makes it difficult for the patient to perform daily tasks.
• Persistent fever that is not caused by a microbial infection.
• Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss.
• Swelling in the legs and ankles.
• Presence of a lump that can be felt on the back or on the side at the waist.
• Night sweats.
• High blood pressure.
• Anemia. (Cancer Research UK, 2024)

Subtle Signs of Stage 1 Kidney Cancer

Symptoms of kidney cancer in the first stage usually do not appear at the beginning of the disease and then appear gradually as follows:

• Extreme and unusual fatigue.
• Persistent fever not caused by infection.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Loss of appetite.
• The appearance of blood in the urine that may be pink or dark in color.
• Anemia.
• Pain in the side or lower back.
• Frequent urination.
• Night sweats.
• Presence of a mass in the abdomen.

Kidney cancer is usually discovered in its early stages during routine examinations or ultrasound or X-ray examination.

Read Also: Kidney Stones Symptoms in Women

If you experience the following symptoms, do not hesitate to seek medical help:

• Foul-smelling, bloody, or cloudy urine.
• Pain during urination.
• Frequent need to urinate.
• Back pain or pain under the ribs.
• Genital pain
• A lump or swelling in the back, neck, or under the ribs. (NHS, 2023)

References

Cancer Research UK. (2024). Retrieved from Number stages of kidney cancer: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/kidney-cancer/stages-types-grades/number-stages

Cancer Research UK. (2024). Retrieved from Symptoms of kidney cancer: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/kidney-cancer/symptoms

NHS. (2023). Retrieved from Symptoms of kidney cancer: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-cancer/symptoms/