Headaches are common, both in those who have cancer and those who don’t. Blood in the urine, back pain, and unexplained weight loss are far more common symptoms of kidney cancer. Still, it can be concerning if you’re having intense or repeated headaches while living with kidney cancer or undergoing treatment.

While headaches aren’t a typical symptom of kidney cancer, they can be a symptom of metastasis (cancer spreading), a cancer complication, or a side effect of cancer treatment.

Here’s what you need to know about headaches if you or a loved one has kidney cancer. We’ll cover possible causes of headaches and when it’s time to talk to your doctor about this symptom.

Possible Causes of Headaches With Kidney Cancer

Headaches may occur due to common problems linked to kidney cancer, such as anemia, high blood pressure, and high calcium levels. Although it’s rare, cancer cells can metastasize to the brain and cause headaches in advanced stages.

Cancer treatments and drugs used to treat side effects may also cause headaches. It’s also possible to develop headaches for reasons unrelated to kidney cancer.

1. Anemia

Anemia is one of the most common complications of kidney cancer and kidney disease. In anemia, you don’t have enough red blood cells or your red blood cells don’t work correctly. Headaches can be a symptom of anemia, along with fatigue and chest pain.

If you’re feeling too tired for normal daily activities and are having headaches, your doctor may run blood tests to check for anemia. If you have anemia, your doctor may recommend:

• Supplements such as iron, folic acid, or B12
• A drug that helps your body produce more red blood cells
• An iron-rich diet
• Exercise
• Proper hydration
• Frequent hand-washing to prevent infection
• Blood transfusion, in severe cases

If your fatigue and headaches last longer than two weeks, talk to your cancer care team.

2. High Blood Pressure

Headaches can be a sign of high blood pressure, especially if your blood pressure measures higher than 200/100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure is also called hypertension.

People who have high blood pressure for a long time are more likely to develop kidney cancer. Plus, when kidney cancer causes changes in how the kidneys work, it may make it harder for the body to control blood pressure.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure puts extra strain on your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and brain. This is why your healthcare provider will monitor your blood pressure and suggest ways to manage it.

3. High Calcium Levels

Kidney cancer can cause high levels of calcium in the blood, especially in later stages. Headaches are one possible symptom of an elevated calcium level.

High calcium levels may strain the kidneys and cause other complications, so your doctor will want to identify and treat this condition quickly. A blood test can check your blood calcium levels and kidney function if your doctor is concerned.

4. Side Effects of Kidney Cancer Treatments

Cancer treatments sometimes cause headaches. Headaches may be triggered by some types of:

• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Radiation or surgery to the head, neck, or spine

These treatments may cause pressure or irritate the brain or spinal cord, leading to headaches. Cancer or cancer treatments may also cause conditions that are linked to headaches, such as dehydration or changes in levels of blood cells.

In addition, drugs used to treat cancer side effects may cause headaches. This includes opioids to control pain, antibiotics for infections, and drugs for nausea and vomiting.

5. Brain Metastasis

Only about 15 percent of people with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) develop brain metastases. If cancer cells have spread to the brain, a tumor may put pressure on brain tissue. This may cause headaches, among other issues like loss of coordination or balance.

Your doctor may perform a neurological exam and order imaging tests of the brain and spine to check whether your headaches are caused by cancer metastasis.

6. Causes Unrelated to Kidney Cancer

If you had headaches — such as migraine, cluster headaches, and tension headaches — before you developed kidney cancer, you may still get them now. These types of headaches may be triggered by:

• Stress
• Drinking alcohol
• Allergies
• Caffeine
• Eye strain and light sensitivity
• Hormone changes
• Smoking and being around smoking

These types of headaches can get worse when you have cancer.

Headaches may also be caused by health conditions like dehydration or sinus infections.

When To Call Your Doctor About Headaches

If you or your loved one is living with kidney cancer, you should let your oncology team know if you have headaches. This is especially important if you:

• Haven’t had headaches before
• Feel like your headaches are getting worse or happening more often
• Also have a fever or stiff neck
• Fell and hit your head

Keeping a diary may help you track your headaches and identify triggers. A pain diary can help you talk to your treatment team about your symptoms and treatment options to manage your headaches.

It’s important to provide your doctor with specific details about your headaches, such as when you noticed the pain, how long it lasted, how bad it was, and whether anything helped.

There are times when a headache may be a medical emergency. Call 911 or seek immediate help if you or your loved one develops any of the following:

• A headache that feels like the worst of your life
• Confusion, weakness, numbness, or tingling
• Problems talking or seeing, or personality changes
• Loss of ability to use one side of your body
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Persistent vomiting

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On MyKidneyCancerTeam, people share their experiences with kidney cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

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