Kidney Cancer Symptoms in Women over 50

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Blood found in the urine

Haematuria (blood in the urine) is a common symptom associated with problems affecting the urinary system. It is also common in people with kidney cancer – even it may be the most common symptom. Most people diagnosed with this cancer will have it when they first see the doctor.

This symptom can be chronic, come and go – it doesn’t have to be there all the time. In some cases, haematuria is not noticeable by naked eye.

However, having haematuria doesn’t definitely mean you have kidney cancer. It can pinpoint to a number of different conditions. But whatever the underlying causes of the problem, you should see a doctor promptly if you ever notice blood in your urine.

Other symptoms

The more vogue symptoms of kidney cancer may include:

1. Pain in the flank area, where the kidneys are located.
2. Abdominal pain. In a few cases, the cancer may become large enough to cause pain in the stomach. This symptom may occur together with a lump or swollen in the abdomen.
3. Enlarged lymph nodes.
4. Unexplained high fever, which may also be followed with abnormal heavy sweating.
5. Unexplained weight loss, typically with appetite loss.
6. High blood pressure that is more difficult to control. Kidneys are important to help regulate blood pressure. Problems affecting the kidneys, such as kidney cancer, can be very potential to affect this function.
7. Fatigue (tiredness). It is a common symptom of many cancers.
8. The cancer may cause a blood clot, causing leg pain or trouble breathing.
9. Fragile bone, easy to break. Kidney cancer can increase the risk of osteoporosis. But in women over 50, osteoporosis can be attributed by lots of factors.
10. Poor health (a general feeling of lack of well-being).

Tests and diagnosis

The symptoms that you have are often not enough to definitely determine whether or not you have kidney cancer. Several tests are usually required if your doctor think that you have the disease.

In general, tests for kidney cancer are outlined below:

Blood and urine tests

These tests can be the first procedures to diagnose this cancer. The tests can help find abnormal findings such as:

1. Blood in the urine.
2. The abnormal number of red blood cells.
3. The abnormal number of calcium in the blood.
4. The abnormal liver function.
5. Or even the abnormal kidney function.

Imaging tests

These include CT-scan, X-ray beam, or with MRI. As the name suggests, these tests can help provide a detailed picture of the kidney – offering a clearly look at the inside of the kidney to help find the abnormality of the kidney (including the possibility of the cancer).

Biopsy

If necessary, the doctor may need to take a small sample of tissue of the kidney (especially from the area with the possibility of the cancer). This procedure is called biopsy. Then the sample tissue will be closely observed under special microscope to look for any sign of cancer.