Projected cases of kidney cancer are expected to double by 2050 due to modifiable risk factors, according to findings and estimations published in European Urology.
“Kidney cancer is a growing global health problem, and both clinicians and policymakers need to prepare for this steep rise,” stated senior author Alexander Kutikov, MD, FACS, Chair of the Department of Urology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. “This review is a reference point for the field, summarizing what we know about kidney cancer incidence, survival, genetics, and risk factors.”
Study Methods
The researchers looked at national estimates of current (from 2022) and projected incidence and mortality rates for patients with kidney cancer from the Global Cancer Observatory of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. They assessed global metrics and stratified data by geographic area and sex. The team also looked at survival outcomes from international and national registries, systemic reviews, and meta-analyses. Then they updated epidemiological reviews for genetic predisposition and kidney cancer risk factors.
Key Findings
In 2022, there were 434,840 cases of renal cancer and 155,953 deaths globally.
The researchers estimated that by 2050, there would be 745,791 new cases of kidney cancer (an increase of 72%) and 304,861 new deaths (an increase of 96%).
Five-year overall survival rates ranged from 40% to 75% depending on the geographic area.
Pathogenic variants in VHL, ELOC, TSC1/2, MET, FLCN, PRDM10, SDHA/B/C/D, MiTF, CDC73, FH, PTEN, BAP1, SMARCB1, CHEK2, MUTYH, BRCA2, ATM, and APC were all found to predispose an individual for kidney cancer.
Nonmodifiable risk factors were identified as sex, geography, ethnicity/ancestry, and family history. Modifiable risk factors included obesity, insulin resistance/diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, smoking, environmental exposure, and lack of exercise.
“Lifestyle changes like weight control, blood pressure and blood sugar management, and especially smoking cessation, can significantly lower risk,” said Dr. Kutikov. “These are prevention strategies that can make a real difference.”
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit sciencedirect.com.
