What is a common symptom of renal cell carcinoma?

Hematuria, or blood in the urine, is indeed a common symptom of renal cell carcinoma. This occurs because the cancer can invade blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to bleeding. The presence of blood in the urine is often one of the first noticeable signs of kidney cancer and can prompt individuals to seek medical attention.

Other symptoms associated with renal cell carcinoma may include flank pain, weight loss, and other systemic signs, but hematuria stands out as a particularly characteristic symptom. This symptom can also occur in other urinary tract conditions, but in the context of renal cell carcinoma, it's a significant indicator that should alert healthcare providers to the possibility of underlying malignancy.

While severe back pain and weight loss can also be related to cancer progression, they are not as directly indicative of renal cell carcinoma as hematuria, which is specifically linked to the disease's effects on the urinary system. Pain during urination is generally more associated with urinary tract infections or bladder issues rather than kidney tumors.