19/07/2023
5 complications of kidney cancer to note:
“The complication of kidney cancer occurs because this organ cannot perform its normal function. These include pleural effusion, hematuria, high blood pressure, pathological fractures, and kidney failure.”
Kidney cancer is formed from the abnormal growth of cells in the kidney organ. These are two organs located behind the abdomen, on either side of the spine.
This disease is characterized by a lump around the waist or stomach and pain in the lower back. Patients also tend to lose weight due to anorexia.
Patients may experience complications due to delayed treatment of symptoms. Complications include pleural effusion, hematuria, high blood pressure, pathological fractures, and even death.
1. Hematuria
Hematuria or bloody urine is characterized by a change in the color of the urine to a brownish or reddish tinge. This condition is usually painless. However, sometimes the pain occurs because a blood clot blocks the flow of urine. For other symptoms, including:
A fever.
B. Lower abdominal pain.
C. Frequent or difficult urination.
D. Low back pain.
E. Nausea and vomiting.
2. Pleural effusion
This complication arises when cancer cells have spread to organs or the lining of the lungs. As a result, there is a buildup of fluid between the pleura (the membrane that lines the lungs).
If the fluid is not removed immediately, breathing difficulties can result. At this stage, people with the disease need a procedure called a thoracentesis, which involves placing a needle through the skin on the chest wall into the pleural space to drain accumulated fluid.
3. Fractures
A fracture occurs when cancer cells that have metastasized (spread) invade and infiltrate the bone. The impact can be weak, brittle and fracture.
When kidney cancer metastasizes to the lower spine, the condition can cause fractures that can potentially compress nerve roots. A condition that causes compression of the spinal cord.
At that stage, the person is likely to experience leg weakness along with loss of bladder and bowel control. One of the effective treatments is osteotomy.
4. High blood pressure
Kidney organs play an important role in regulating blood qi in the body. When a patient has kidney cancer, the disease can cause persistent and difficult-to-control high blood pressure (malignant hypertension).
5. Increased blood calcium
Hypercalcemia occurs due to an increase in the amount of calcium in the blood. This condition occurs when the amount of calcium in the blood is higher than 10.4 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Symptoms can include severe muscle weakness, confusion, coma, and even death.
6. Liver failure
Liver failure is a condition in which kidney cancer cells metastasize to the liver. Since the liver is responsible for filtering the blood, just like the kidneys, the combined dysfunction of the two organs can lead to a buildup of toxins in the blood. This condition causes confusion, personality changes, and mood swings.
7. Kidney Failure.
Kidney failure occurs when this organ is damaged and cannot function properly. This disease is the end stage of kidney disease, when this organ is damaged quite badly or for a long time.
Symptoms are often characterized by decreased desire to urinate, shortness of breath, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. People with the disease also tend to be drowsy and have trouble concentrating.
