The classic presentation of kidney cancer has changed dramatically over the past decade due to the widespread application of radiologic imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI scans. In the past when there was less imaging, physicians recognized a “classic triad” of three symptoms which were the result of larger renal masses. These symptoms, were blood in the urine (known as hematuria), pain in the flank (area of the back where the ribs meet the spine), and a mass that could be felt by the physician on physical examination.

Today, the classic triad is a less common presentation. A more common presentation today, perhaps “the contemporary triad,” is a non-specific complaint such as a belly ache, which results in a doctor ordering a sonogram that finds a small kidney mass. Finally, the third component of the contemporary triad is a CT scan or an MRI scan, which helps to better characterize the nature of the mass and to determine if it is suspicious for kidney cancer.

Actually, kidney cancer can present with a variety of different signs and symptoms, which are listed below. None of these signs or symptoms are specific to kidney cancer itself. Indeed, kidney cancer is not the most common disease associated with the majority of these symptoms. Today, the majority of kidney cancers are discovered while very small in size and typically will have no associated symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms Associated with Kidney Cancer:

• Blood in urine (“hematuria”)
• Pain in the back just below the ribs
• A mass that can be felt
• Unexplained weight loss which can sometimes be rapid
• Intermittent fevers or night sweats
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Fever that is not associated with a cold or the flu
• Pain in other parts of the body if the cancer has spread

Copyright 2006 Kidney Cancer Institute