Kidney cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms — it’s often found during imaging tests done for another reason. When symptoms do appear, they can be easy to mistake for common health conditions, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), menstrual pain, fatigue, or menopause.

Because these symptoms are common and nonspecific, kidney cancer in women may be overlooked, misdiagnosed, or chalked up to “normal” changes. Understanding which symptoms may be easy to miss can help you decide when to seek medical advice.

Below are some symptoms of kidney cancer that may be missed or mistaken for other conditions. Having one of these symptoms doesn’t mean you have kidney cancer, but it may be a reason to talk with a doctor.

1. Blood in the Urine

Hematuria (blood in the urine) — even a small amount — is one of the most common symptoms of kidney cancer. This can turn urine pink or red, or it may not be visible and only show up on a urine test.

People may miss blood in the urine or assume it’s caused by something else, such as:

• A urinary tract infection (UTI), which is common and affects about half of females at some point, according to Cleveland Clinic
• Menstrual (period) blood, which can mix with urine and hide hematuria

If your urine looks pink or red or a urine test shows blood, it should always be checked by a doctor. You should also see a healthcare provider if you have lower back or abdominal (belly) pain or notice changes in urination (peeing), as these can happen along with blood in the urine.

2. Night Sweats

Night sweats can occur during perimenopause or menopause or at certain times in the menstrual cycle. You may wake up drenched in sweat that soaks your clothes or bedding and disrupts your sleep. You might also experience hot flashes as your body tries to cool down.

Although night sweats and hot flashes can be normal when hormone levels change, heavy sweating at night can sometimes be a sign of kidney cancer.

Doctors aren’t sure why kidney cancer can cause night sweats, but this symptom may be linked to substances released by a tumor that affect how the body regulates temperature.

Night sweats may be missed as a symptom of kidney cancer because they’re also a hallmark symptom of menopause or perimenopause. If you’re in this stage of life, it’s easy to attribute night sweats to hormones.

Contact your healthcare professional if you have:

• Night sweats that are ongoing, happen often, or regularly disrupt sleep
• Signs of an infection, such as a fever
• Shaking chills or tremors that don’t go away
• Skin problems or sores from the skin staying moist for a long time

3. Fevers or Feeling Warm Often

Kidney cancer can cause mild, low-grade fevers that come and go without other signs of infection. People may assume body temperature changes are caused by hormone shifts during menopause, which can cause warmth or flushing.

Fevers can also be caused by mild viral infections, especially if you’re around children or spend time in crowded environments.

Fevers that keep returning for no clear reason should be checked by a healthcare provider, especially if you don’t have other symptoms of infection or the flu.

A fever may mean your immune system is reacting to cancer or another serious condition. It can also be part of a paraneoplastic response, when substances released by a tumor affect how the body controls temperature.

4. Flank Pain or Lower Back Pain

The side of your body between the ribs and hip is called the flank. Pain in this area or on one side of the lower back can be a symptom of kidney cancer.

Flank or lower back pain can be overlooked as a kidney cancer symptom because it can also be caused by more common health issues, such as:

• UTIs, which can cause pain in the lower belly, flank, lower back, or pelvic area
• Kidney infections or kidney stones
• A strained or pulled muscle
• Back problems like muscle spasms, pinched nerves, or arthritis
• Menstrual cramps, which can cause dull or throbbing pain in the lower back or abdomen

Pain linked to kidney cancer is often persistent. It usually doesn’t improve with rest, stretching, heat, or physical therapy.

Talk with your doctor if this pain lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, is severe, or makes daily activities challenging. Call your provider right away if you also have:

• Painful urination
• Blood in your urine
• More frequent urination
• Vomiting or nausea
• Headaches
• Chills, fever, or dizziness

5. Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of kidney cancer. You may feel very tired even after rest.

According to the journal Psychology, Health & Medicine, women are about twice as likely as men to experience fatigue. Reasons include:

• Hormonal changes
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Dehydration
• Chronic stress
• Too much exercise

Because many everyday factors can cause fatigue, it’s easily overlooked as a symptom of something more serious.

Fatigue related to kidney cancer may make it hard to get out of bed, or you may feel the need to rest even if you haven’t been active. This type of fatigue may also affect sleep or cause anxiety.

If your fatigue is severe, lasts a long time, or starts suddenly, especially with weight loss, you should seek medical care. Extreme weakness or ongoing fatigue shouldn’t be ignored.

6. Unexplained Weight Loss or Reduced Appetite

Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite is also common in kidney cancer. People may link these changes to stress, emotions, or mild illnesses like a cold or an infection. Because weight changes can be common, this symptom can be easy to miss.

See your doctor if you have no appetite for more than a week, lose weight suddenly, or experience symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, weakness, or irritability.

When Should Women Talk With a Healthcare Provider?

Because kidney cancer symptoms can overlap with many common health issues in women, it’s important to get medical advice if symptoms are ongoing, worsening, or unusual for you.

Consider seeing a doctor if you notice symptoms of kidney cancer, such as:

• Blood in your urine
• Night sweats or fevers with no clear cause
• Ongoing flank or back pain
• Fatigue that doesn’t improve
• Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite

Keep in mind that some people with kidney cancer have no symptoms at all. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and seek medical care. Finding kidney cancer early can make a significant difference in your kidney cancer treatment options.

When in Doubt, Get It Checked Out

Kidney cancer symptoms can be easy to miss because they often overlap with everyday experiences like UTIs, periods, menopause, fatigue, and stress. Most of the time, these symptoms aren’t caused by kidney cancer. Still, changes that are persistent or unusual should be checked by a healthcare provider.

Listening to your body and speaking up about concerns can help ensure you get the care and answers you need.

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

Were any of your kidney cancer symptoms mistaken for something else, like a UTI, menopause, or stress, before you received your diagnosis? Let others know in the comments below.