a co-worker of mine had similar symptoms, blood in urine. I believe he may also have had a dull "ache" in his lower back. He's had kidney stones before, so he figured to be on the safe side went to emergency.

Good thing, because he was immediately sent for an MRI whereas had he gone to his GP it would've been weeks, maybe months before getting an appointment (we're in Canada where things can take a long time).

He DID have kidney cancer, but it was localized to one kidney, which he immediately had taken out. No chemo, just some rest to mend and he was back at work within 8 weeks.

Would it make any difference in your step dad's case to go to the ER to expedite things?