When it is at its early stages, renal or kidney cancer does not show any signs or symptoms. However, once it starts to progress, the signs can start to get more evident. Usually, the signs of renal cancer can be seen at places such as the lower back and the urine. So, here is a list of signs of renal cancer that you should watch out for.

Usually, the signs of renal cancer are related either to the functioning of the kidneys and the growth of the tumor. The responsibilities of the kidneys include:

• Filtering out toxins from the blood
• Production of urine
• Keeping the blood pressure under check
• Producing red blood cells

These functions can be performed by one kidney. However, in the case of tumor growth, the functionalities of the kidneys can be hampered, and that is when the signs of renal cancer can start becoming evident.

Here are the symptoms of renal cancer to be aware of:

Blood Discharge in Urine
Also known as hematuria, discharge of blood with urine is one of the most common symptoms of renal cancer. As per the Kidney Cancer Association, this symptom can be seen as many as 40 to 50 percent of patients with kidney cancer. Even if the amount of blood with urine is in small quantity, it changes the color of urine to brown, pink, or red in some cases.

The frequency at which the blood appears with urine can be inconsistent. One can spot blood with urine every alternate day. In some cases, the amount of blood in the urine can be so small that it is only noticed during an analysis of the urine. There are several other causes of blood discharge with urine and these can include infections, stones, or even an injury in the kidney. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor if you experience this symptom.

Lower-back Pain
Backache is common, especially among the elderly. But backache can also be one of the sings of renal cancer; a rare one, though. The pain in the lower back area is not experienced until the time cancer has progressed to a late stage. The intensity of the pain can be anywhere between a mild ache to throbbing pain. The backache caused by renal cancer can vary.

Abdominal Lump or Mass
Another sign of renal cancer can be the formation of a lump in the back or in the abdominal area. The lump can be felt like something hard and bulging right under your skin. This symptom has been found in 45 percent of people with renal cancer. However, when the cancer is its early stages, the lumps can be difficult to feel or spot.