Can Kidney Cancer Cause Blood in Urine?

Yes, blood in the urine—also called hematuria—is one of the most common symptoms of kidney cancer. It may be the first noticeable sign of a tumor in the kidney, even when no other symptoms are present.

The blood may appear bright red, pink, or brownish, and sometimes it is visible only under a microscope (called microscopic hematuria). In some cases, the bleeding may come and go, which can delay diagnosis if it is mistaken for a temporary or harmless issue.

Bleeding occurs because the tumor can invade or irritate the delicate blood vessels in the kidney or surrounding structures. As a result, small amounts of blood can leak into the urine.

It is important to know that not all cases of blood in the urine mean cancer. Other possible causes include urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder infections, or enlarged prostate in men. However, any instance of unexplained blood in the urine should be checked by a doctor—especially if it happens more than once or is accompanied by other symptoms like back pain or a mass in the abdomen.

When blood in the urine is present, doctors typically order tests such as a urinalysis, imaging scans (like ultrasound or CT), and possibly a cystoscopy to determine the source. If kidney cancer is found early, especially when it has not spread beyond the kidney, there is a high chance of successful treatment.

Ignoring blood in the urine can delay diagnosis and allow cancer to grow unnoticed. Even if the cause turns out to be harmless, it is always safer to have it investigated.

Looking for more questions?

Visit our Kidney Cancer Questions page for all other topics explained in plain language.

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