When your body develops kidney cancer, it starts to show some minor signs and symptoms. The most common ones amongst these include fatigue and back pain. Some more distinct complications appear once the tumors in the kidney grow in size. The severity of the symptoms is often a result of the pressure on the kidneys and the other organs.    

Early warning symptoms of kidney cancer
Thankfully, learning and understanding the early warning symptoms of kidney cancer can help one to spot the disease and seek timely treatment.

Hematuria or blood in the urine
It is the most common sign of kidney cancer—approximately 50% of people with the disease present this symptom. However, at times, the blood discharge is little and might not be visible to the naked eye. In this case, one can get a urine test done. Please note that the presence of blood in the urine is not a sure sign of kidney cancer. It could be because of the presence of kidney stones, too. 

Persistent back pain
Usually, people over the age of 40 experience back pain. It is primarily because of disk degeneration or a musculoskeletal injury. However, what many do not know is that back pain is a key sign of kidney cancer. Approximately 41% of people who have renal cell carcinoma complain of back pain. However, for most people, back pain isn’t experienced until the later stage of cancer. If you have back pain that is persistent and lasts longer than a few days, you should see a doctor.

A lump or a mass around the abdomen
Another early warning symptom of kidney cancer is a noticeable lump or a mass towards the side of the abdomen. You can touch the side and feel a bulging or a hard, thick bump beneath the skin. Unfortunately, in the early stage of the disease, the lumps aren’t easy to feel. Sometimes, you might not feel this lump even after the tumor grows larger.  

Fatigue
This is one symptom that is common for almost every type of cancer. Approximately 70% to 100% of people suffering any form of cancer experience fatigue. This is hugely different from the fatigue that you experience on the days when you do not get eight hours of sleep. Cancer-induced fatigue is usually persistent and can hamper your daily activities. It might even exacerbate with time. 

Anemia
Approximately 21% of people with kidney cancer are either low on red blood cells or have anemia. Usually, it is the job of the kidney to trigger the production of red blood cells. However, cancer can interfere with this. Anemia will induce dizziness, breathlessness, and cause the skin to look pale.