Kidney cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the kidney, affecting the normal, health structure and function of the kidneys. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs that are each roughly the size of a human fist. They are located under the abdomen to the left and right sides of the backbone. These twin organs are responsible for flushing excess water, salt, and waste products from blood via urine production. The kidneys also manage blood pressure levels and red blood cell production thanks to the hormones renin and erythropoietin. Although the kidneys are vital, humans can function with only one kidney (removal of the cancerous kidney is a common treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC treatment), as well as medications such as Opdivo. The early signs of kidney cancer include:

1. Low back pain

Lower back pain or persistent pressure on one side of the lower back may indicate the presence of a cancerous mass or lump on one kidney that is pressing against one side of the lower back.

2. Night sweats

Suffering with night sweats could be an indication of kidney cancer (or other types of cancer). They occur when the body is trying to fight the cancer, causing a fever and excessive sweating as the body tries to cool itself down. In some cases, night sweats occur with cancer treatments such as chemotherapy drugs that alter the hormones.

3. Unexplained weight loss

Patients with kidney cancer often experience sudden and unexplained weight loss that occurs without trying. In many cases, kidney cancer will impact the patient’s appetite. This appetite loss may happen quickly as the tumor spreads to other organs.

4. Fluid retention

Also known as edema, swelling of the hands, legs or ankles is common in kidney cancer patients when a kidney tumor prevents the kidney from removing excess fluid in the body. In addition to the cancer itself, edema, or fluid build up in the body’s tissues, may be caused by some types of chemotherapy cancer treatment.

5. Fatigue

Anemia, which is a low red blood cell count, is the most common cause of fatigue in kidney cancer patients. The fatigue is typical when cancerous cells compete with healthy cells for nutrients. Anemia can exacerbate chronic fatigue in kidney patients, leading to shortness of breath, dizziness and pale-looking skin.

6. Blood in the urine

Blood in the urine (or hematuria) is a common symptom of kidney cancer. The blood tinged urine may come and go. However, if you notice trace blood in your urine it’s vital to talk to your doctor to test for an underlying infection, enlargement of the prostate, kidney stone, or kidney cancer.