How Will Kidney Cancer Affect the Rest of My Body?
The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and producing urine to rid the body of waste and unneeded fluid. They also play a major role in helping the body regulate several critical enzymes and protein important for the body to maintain hemostasis. Given these important roles, you may be wondering not just how the kidneys are affected, but the rest of the body as well, following a kidney cancer diagnosis.
Kidney cancer symptoms that can affect other areas of the body
In its early stages, kidney cancer may not cause any noticeable symptoms that affect your body. As it progresses, however, this cancer may cause blood in the urine and lower back pain on one side of the body. Other ways that kidney cancer may start to affect the rest of your body include:
- Generalized fatigue
- A loss of appetite
- A noticeable lump on your side or lower back
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Unexpected weight loss
- Fever that’s not associated with an illness
- Low levels of red blood cells (anemia)
If left untreated, kidney cancer can progress and spread to other areas of the body, such as the bones, lungs or brain. Therefore, as with other types of cancer, early evaluation is important for improving the likelihood that treatment will be effective.
Diagnostic and treatment services for kidney cancer
Moffitt Cancer Center offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic, treatment and supportive care services to help patients with kidney cancer. Our multispecialty team collaborates as a tumor board and meets regularly to ensure complex patients at Moffitt receive an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to his or her unique needs.
Medically reviewed by Jad Chahoud, MD, Department of Genitourinary Oncology.
If you have already been diagnosed or suspect that you may have kidney cancer, you can visit Moffitt Cancer Center to speak with a specialist. Call 1-888-663-3488 or fill out a new patient registration form to schedule an appointment. We welcome patients with or without a referral.