Kidney cancer is cancer that originates in the kidneys, which are two bean-shaped organs located beneath the rib cage, on either side of the spine. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common form of kidney cancer. While many instances of kidney cancer arise due to external risk factors, such as smoking, obesity exposure to chemicals and long term use of certain medications, kidney damage and a family history of the disease can also contribute to kidney cancer development.

This means that it’s important to pay attention to the following warning signs. The earlier kidney cancer is detected, the greater your chances for successful treatment. If you have any of these symptoms see a doctor:

1. Blood in the urine

Blood in the urine (or hematuria) is, of course, not a very pleasant symptom. However, this is actually one of the best symptoms someone could hope for. As the cancer impacts kidney function it will often result in blood entering into processed urine. Of course, this is a sign of something going seriously wrong. But it’s also something that acts as an early warning sign that almost everyone will notice. This is why it’s vitally important to get to a doctor as soon as blood becomes apparent in the urine.

2. Low back pain on one side

Kidney cancer often causes pain in areas adjacent, rather than directly on, the kidney. This comes about through multiple different pathways. But the most common way for this to occur is through swelling. As the kidney cancer progresses it can cause swelling in the kidney and nearby tissue. These newly swelling areas can then press directly against sensitive areas like the spine. The end result is pain that comes from a different area than where the cancer is actually located.

3. A mass on the side or lower back

A mass (or lump) on the side or lower back can occur for similar reasons to back pain. However, in this case there’s also a high chance that it’s actually the cancer migrating to that new location. This type of migration is one of the biggest dangers of cancer. The further cancer migrates from the original location the more difficult it’ll be to treat. As such, it’s always best if someone notices the other symptoms before it progresses to this state. But if someone does notice this symptom it’s even more important than usual to get to a doctor.

4. Unexplained fatigue

Cancer takes a pretty heavy toll on the body. Cancer cells directly compete for the resources used by healthy cells. What’s more, they’re also taking resources away from the very cells that are trying to win the fight against cancer. The further cancer progresses the more severe this battle becomes. The body is also using up even more resources trying to heal from the damage caused by the cancer’s progression. All of this leads to a feeling of lethargy.

5. Loss of appetite/weight loss

Most people are excited by unexplained weight loss. But if you’re losing weight without any real explanation then you should get to a doctor. It might simply be due to changes in lifestyle that you’re not even fully aware of. But it’s also a sign of kidney cancer. As the cancer progresses people often stop feeling hungry. What’s more, their sense of taste can often change. The two factors can work in isolation or together. But whatever the reason for changing habits at the dinner table there’s one single end effect: people start to lose weight.