Kidney Mass and and Hematuria
Kidney mass and hematuria are usually signs of an abnormal kidney condition. Hematuria is the medical term for blood in urine. With about a million red blood cells in urine passing through the body on a daily basis, it is normal to have some slight traces of blood in your urine. A simple urine test can tell a doctor if the number of red blood cells in the urine is normal. If the level of blood is too high, doctors will perform additional diagnostic tests to determine where the blood is coming from and what is the cause of blood in the urine.
Kidney mass and hematuria are sometimes easily detected and other times they are more difficult to notice. Microscopic blood in urine is called microscopic hematuria. This means that there are traces of blood in the urine that can only be seen under a microscope. It is often detected in routine urine tests that might be ordered for a urinary tract infection or kidney pain. However, these small amounts of blood don’t necessarily mean the problem you are having is small.
Microscopic blood in urine causes are most often related to kidney stones or a urinary tract infection. Sometimes trauma from an accident or intense physically activity, such as contact sports or extensive running, can create microscopic blood urine. Gross hematuria is when blood in urine can be seen by the naked eye. A patient with gross hematuria can notice blood clots in urine or reddish brown or pink tinted urine, though a patient may eat certain foods that could cause a discoloration of the urine or cloudy urine to appear.
Urinary bleeding can be a symptom for several different urinary conditions. Causes of blood urine varies from patient to patient. A person may experience pain in the abdomen, lower back, or flank side of the body. There may be pain while urinating. Some patients have bloody urine from kidney conditions, from side effects of certain medications, or from certain inherited disorders, like sickle cell anemia. Other patients may experience problems with the prostate and blood urine, which could indicate an enlarged prostate or the presence of prostate cancer.
Kidney mass and hematuria must be diagnosed properly to uncover the true cause of the bloody urine. Hematuria, combined with the detection of a kidney mass, could be the telltale sign of a more severe condition such as kidney cancer, specifically renal cell carcinoma that affects the tubules through which urine passes. Routine visits to your doctor, as well as examinations when symptoms arise, can help with early detection of serious medical conditions and treatment of problems to prevent them from getting worse.