Flank Pain can arise from 4 documented medical conditions. Understanding the clinical context helps identify urgent causes early.
Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma)
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common kidney cancer in adults, often discovered incidentally on imaging. Symptoms include hematuria, flank pain, and a palpable mass; smoking and obesity are key risk factors.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most common hereditary kidney disorder, causing progressive enlargement of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys, hypertension, and eventual kidney failure. Tolvaptan slows kidney growth.
Renal Artery Stenosis
Renal artery stenosis is narrowing of the arteries supplying the kidneys, causing renovascular hypertension that is resistant to standard treatment and can lead to ischemic nephropathy. Atherosclerosis and fibromuscular dysplasia are the main causes.
Hydronephrosis
Hydronephrosis is dilation of the renal collecting system due to obstruction of urine flow (kidney stones, stricture, tumor). If bilateral or complete, it can cause acute kidney injury; treatment addresses the underlying obstruction.
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