Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

The signs and symptoms of kidney cancer often prompt people to seek medical care. Blood in the urine, persistent back or side pain, fatigue, fever, or unexplained weight loss may appear minor at first, but they can signal a life-threatening disease. When these warning signs are dismissed or overlooked by a physician, patients lose critical time, which can mean the difference between effective treatment and a devastating prognosis. Failing to identify and act on the signs and symptoms of kidney cancer can allow the disease to spread, making it far more difficult to treat and significantly reducing the patient’s chances for recovery. If you believe your doctor failed to recognize these symptoms and you suffered harm as a result, you have the right to pursue claims for damages, and you should talk to an attorney. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano LLP Cancer Lawyers, our seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys will craft persuasive arguments on your behalf to help you seek the best legal outcome possible in your case. We regularly represent people in cancer malpractice cases in Syracuse, Rochester, and throughout Upstate New York.

The signs and symptoms of kidney cancer often develop gradually, which is why vigilance is so important. One of the most common early signs is blood in the urine, which may appear intermittently and can easily be dismissed as a urinary tract infection or another minor condition. Persistent pain in the side, back, or abdomen can also signal the presence of a tumor pressing on surrounding tissue. Some patients may feel a lump or mass in the kidney area, although this is less common in early stages. Anemia, fatigue, unexplained fever, or night sweats are other systemic signs that something more serious may be occurring.

Because it often begins as a localized growth, prompt recognition of the signs and symptoms of kidney cancer can allow patients to undergo surgery or targeted therapy with favorable outcomes. Unfortunately, when physicians overlook hematuria, ignore persistent pain complaints, or fail to investigate unexplained fatigue and weight loss, patients may lose valuable time.

When a physician does not properly recognize or respond to the signs and symptoms of kidney cancer, it can lead to grave harm and often constitutes medical malpractice. Generally, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case must establish the defendant’s negligence. Under New York law, the first component of negligence is duty. In other words, a plaintiff must establish that the defendant owed them a duty to provide care consistent with accepted medical standards. Next, the plaintiff must show that the defendant breached the duty owed. A breach may occur when the defendant disregards complaints, fails to order appropriate diagnostic tests, or misinterprets radiological results.

Next, the plaintiff must demonstrate causation and damages, which means that they must show that the defendant’s breach caused them to suffer measurable harm. Because cancer malpractice cases involve complex medical issues, expert testimony is almost always required. Experts may explain how the doctor’s conduct deviated from the accepted standard of care and how earlier intervention would have improved the patient’s outcome.

A patient who suffers harm due to a physician’s negligence in failing to act on the signs and symptoms of kidney cancer may be entitled to a wide range of damages. These may include reimbursement for medical expenses tied to additional treatments, hospitalizations, and medications that would have been unnecessary if the cancer had been detected earlier. Patients may also seek damages for lost income if treatment forces them to leave their jobs or reduces their earning capacity in the future. Beyond financial losses, non-economic damages may be awarded for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life’s pleasures.

Kidney cancer is often treatable if it is caught early, but if a physician fails to address concerning symptoms, it may progress unchecked. If you or a loved one experienced harm because a physician failed to respond to the signs and symptoms of kidney cancer, you have the right to seek justice, and you should talk to an attorney. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano LLP Cancer Lawyers, our knowledgeable Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys have significant experience litigating cancer-related malpractice cases, and if you hire us, we will gather the evidence needed to provide you with a strong chance of a favorable outcome. Our main office is located in Syracuse, and we regularly advocate for clients harmed by medical negligence in Syracuse, Rochester, and Upstate New York. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, please contact us online or call 833-200-2000.