What factors increase the risk of renal cell carcinoma?

Renal cell carcinoma, which accounts for approximately 90 percent of adult kidney cancers, is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Several key risk factors have been identified:1

• Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: Smoking is a significant risk factor, believed to double the likelihood of developing the disease. Exposure to asbestos and cadmium is also suspected to increase risk.12
• Demographics: The disease is more common in men than in women, and most cases are diagnosed in individuals between 50 and 70 years of age.1
• Medical History and Genetics: A family history of kidney cancer is a known risk factor. Additionally, certain rare genetic disorders, specifically tuberous sclerosis and von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, are frequently associated with renal cell cancers.1
• Chronic Conditions: Obesity and long-term kidney dialysis are recognized as factors that increase risk.1

Because early symptoms are often absent or associated with other disorders, maintaining awareness of these risk factors is important for early detection.1