Early-stage kidney cancer often goes undetected because it rarely causes symptoms. Many people don’t feel pain until tumors grow or metastasize (spread) to other areas of the body.

In some cases, cancer pain becomes more noticeable in the bones or brain. A small number of people feel pain from kidney tumors, usually in the middle or lower back.

Low Back Pain and Kidney Cancer

The kidneys sit on either side of the spine, between the rib cage and hip bones, just above the lower back. Each side is called a flank. About 1 in 10 people with kidney cancer have flank pain.

This pain is often described as dull and ongoing, and it may slowly get worse. Some people feel pain in the lower back on one or both sides. There may also be a lump in the area.

Many other conditions can cause lower back pain, so it’s important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. If kidney cancer is the cause, the pain usually doesn’t change with movement.

One MyKidneyCancerTeam member said they felt “tenderness in my kidney area.” Another wrote, “My ribs hurt a little, burning.”

Rib pain is not common with kidney cancer. However, in one case study, researchers reported that a person with ongoing lower rib pain was diagnosed after an ultrasound found a tumor.

Sharp, stabbing, or sudden flank pain may point to another kidney condition, like an infection, kidney stones, a blocked ureter (urine tube), or ruptured cysts.

Other Areas That Can Be Painful With Kidney Cancer

Most of the kidneys’ nerves are in the outer layer of tissue. Tumors in other parts of the kidney are less likely to cause pain. This is one reason many people with kidney cancer don’t feel back pain.

However, when cancer spreads to areas with more nerves, pain is more likely. Kidney cancer can spread to many parts of the body but usually involves the:

• Lymph nodes
• Lungs
• Bones
• Brain
• Liver
• Endocrine organs (such as the adrenal glands, pancreas, and thyroid gland)

Cancer in these areas may cause pain in the abdomen, chest, bones, or head.

1. Abdominal Pain

Kidney cancer can cause abdominal pain if it spreads to other organs. About 20 percent to 30 percent of people with metastatic kidney cancer have tumors in the liver.

People often describe liver pain as discomfort just under the ribs on the right side. Sometimes the pain spreads up toward the right shoulder and is often dull and ongoing.

Cancer that spreads to the adrenal glands (on top of the kidneys) or the pancreas may also cause dull belly or back pain. With pancreatic metastases, the pain may wrap around the abdomen and back like a tight band. Tumors spread to these organs in up to 10 percent of people with metastatic kidney cancer.

2. Chest Pain

About half of people with late-stage kidney cancer develop tumors in the lungs. Lung cancer can cause chest pain, back pain, an ongoing cough, and shortness of breath. Some people may also develop bronchitis, which causes lung inflammation and a hacking cough that can add to chest discomfort.

However, many people with lung cancer don’t have symptoms until the cancer has been growing for years.

Cancer that spreads to the lymph nodes can also cause shortness of breath if the tumors push on the lungs. Lymph nodes are found throughout the body and can press on nearby organs and even pinch blood vessels. This pressure may cause discoloration, pain, or swelling, especially in the arms or legs.

3. Bone Pain

Tumors spread to the bones in about 25 percent of people in advanced stages of renal cell carcinoma (the most common type of kidney cancer), often affecting the spine, ribs, and pelvis. This can cause bone pain and raise the risk of fractures.

Cancer-related bone pain can vary from person to person. It may come and go or feel constant, and it may get worse with movement or wake you up at night. It may feel like an ache deep in the bones that some people have described as debilitating.

Bone cancer can weaken bones because the cancerous cells leave no room for healthy cells. The overgrowth of cancer cells can cause swelling that presses on nerves, leading to pain.

As healthy bone breaks down, bones can become fragile and break more easily. Even a small fracture can cause sharp, intense pain. Other warning signs may include:

• Trouble moving joints near the painful area
• Swelling, discoloration, warmth, or a lump near the painful area
• Limping due to pain in the leg or hip
• Pain that starts in one area and spreads to other bones

A healthcare provider can rule out other causes of bone pain, such as arthritis. Typically, arthritis and everyday aches feel better with rest. Bone cancer pain tends to linger, especially in later stages.

4. Head Pain

Kidney cancer can cause headaches and other neurological symptoms if it spreads to the brain, which happens in about 10 percent to 13 percent of cases. Cancer-related headaches may feel different from typical headaches, but some symptoms overlap with migraine attacks.

If you have migraine, don’t ignore new or worsening symptoms. Talk with a healthcare provider to rule out a brain tumor. A headache could be related to brain cancer if it:

• Lasts for days or weeks
• Is severe enough to wake you up
• Feels worse in the morning or when you lie flat
• Causes persistent nausea and vomiting
• Occurs along with vision changes, muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling

Other signs of brain cancer include seizures, dizziness, and worsening cognition.

When To Talk With a Doctor

Any kind of persistent or severe pain warrants a trip to the doctor. The cause could be kidney cancer, another kidney problem, or something else. There’s no way to know for sure without a physical examination and a full review of your medical history.

Your doctor may order imaging tests, such as X-rays or an MRI scan, to look at the bones and muscles in your lower back. These tests can help find tumors in the kidneys or other organs.

Talk with a doctor if you notice other possible signs of kidney cancer, including:

• Blood in the urine (may look rust-colored)
• A lump or mass near the kidneys
• Unintended weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fever that keeps coming back or doesn’t go away
• Heavy sweating
• Fatigue
• Feeling unwell in general

If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney cancer, tell your care team about any new or worsening pain. They can recommend a pain management plan — or adapt your current one — based on the cause of the pain and its severity. This may include medications (such as opioids, corticosteroids, or bisphosphonates), nerve blocks, or complementary therapies.

Join the Conversation

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

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