Kidney Adenocarcinoma at 40x Magnification

The prognosis associated with kidney cancer is best when the disease is caught early. Consequently, when symptoms of renal cell carcinoma develop, they should be brought to the attention of a medical professional as soon as possible. Signs of the disease often include blood in the urine, side or lower back pain, fever, anemia, and weight loss. Water retention, swelling in the feet or ankles, and high blood pressure may also develop if the disease begins to interfere with the ability of the kidneys to regulate body fluids. Because symptoms of kidney cancer are similar to those of several other renal disorders, a definitive diagnosis generally necessitates thorough medical testing. Exams commonly utilized include urinalysis, blood tests, x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and (MRI).