Why does advanced kidney cancer cause a swollen abdomen, coughing up blood, and blood in the urine?

Jul 01, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I am currently in the late stage of kidney cancer. Recently, my abdomen has become particularly swollen, and I have also experienced hematuria (blood in urine). May I ask, what causes abdominal swelling and hematuria in late stage kidney cancer?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
In late-stage renal cancer, symptoms such as abdominal distension, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), and hematuria (blood in urine) are usually associated with the severity of the disease and multiple organ metastases. 1. Abdominal distension: This may be caused by ascites. In late-stage renal cancer, the patient's immune system is weakened, which may lead to significant fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, causing abdominal swelling. 2. Hemoptysis: This may indicate that cancer cells have metastasized to the lungs, damaging lung tissue and causing blood vessels to rupture, resulting in blood being coughed up with sputum. 3. Hematuria: This typically occurs when the tumor invades the renal pelvis, ureter, or bladder mucosa, causing mucosal rupture and bleeding. The presence of these symptoms indicates that renal cancer has progressed to an advanced stage, with possible multiple organ failure, placing the patient's life in extreme danger. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and undergo targeted treatment according to the physician's advice.