On 26/5, Master, Doctor Nguyen Minh Duat, from the Urology Unit at An Binh Hospital, reported that the patient sought medical attention for prolonged dull pain in his right lower back. Initially, the man believed the pain stemmed from heavy labor or poor posture, leading him to self-medicate with painkillers. However, his symptoms did not improve and gradually worsened.

Ultrasound and abdominal CT scans revealed a kidney tumor, approximately 3 cm in size. Fortunately, the tumor was localized within the kidney capsule, showing no signs of invasion or metastasis to surrounding areas. This confirmed a diagnosis of early-stage kidney cancer.

Following a medical consultation, doctors opted for a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, a kidney-sparing surgery. This procedure removes only the tumor and a minimal portion of surrounding healthy tissue, preserving maximum healthy kidney function for long-term excretory health.

Doctor Duat explained that this is a challenging technique. It requires the surgeon to control blood vessels, remove the tumor, and suture the kidney tissue quickly to prevent permanent kidney damage from lack of blood supply. Four days post-surgery, the patient recovered well, with kidney function within normal limits, and was discharged.

"Detecting the disease at an early stage increases the likelihood of complete cure and reduces the need for complex adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy", Doctor Duat stated.

Doctors perform laparoscopic surgery on the patient. *Photo: Hospital provided*

Early-stage kidney cancer often progresses silently, with few obvious symptoms, making it easy to overlook. The classic triad of symptoms—hematuria, lower back pain, and a palpable abdominal mass—typically indicates a late-stage diagnosis.

Back pain caused by kidney cancer is usually dull and persistent, located on one side of the flank or in the lower back. Unlike mechanical back pain, this pain does not change with posture or decrease with rest; it can worsen as the tumor grows and stretches the kidney capsule.

Beyond prolonged back pain, individuals should monitor for other signs: hematuria, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, persistent low-grade fever, or anemia. These symptoms are often mistaken for common ailments, causing many to be complacent and miss the optimal time for effective treatment.

Le Phuong