Renal cancer (RC) is a common malignancy. Its incidence and mortality rates vary by geographic area and sex, and are projected to increase in the future. This review aims to describe global epidemiology of RC examining its incidence, mortality, survival, genetic predisposition, and risk factors.
We obtained national estimates of the current and projected incidence and mortality from the Global Cancer Observatory of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Incidence and mortality were defined as the number of new cases and deaths for the year 2022, respectively. Future estimations from 2022 to 2050 were based on the projected population growth and aging. We have assessed all the global metrics and stratified the data according to geographic area and sex. We evaluated survival from international or national registries, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, or original reports. Additionally, we updated epidemiological reviews on genetic predisposition and risk factors.
Globally, 434,840 individual cases and 155,953 individual deaths were recorded in 2022. Incidence and mortality varied according to geographic area and sex. In total, 745,791 new cases (+72%) and 304,861 (+96%) new deaths are expected in 2050. The 5-yr overall survival rate ranged from 40% to 75% according to geographic area. Pathogenic variants in the alleles, VHL, ELOC, TSC1/2, MET, FLCN, PRDM10, SDHA/B/C/D, MiTF, CDC73, FH, PTEN, BAP1, SMARCB1, CHEK2, MUTYH, BRCA2, ATM, and APC, predispose to RC. Nonmodifiable risk factors include sex, geography, ethnicity/ancestry, and family history. In contrast, modifiable risk factors include obesity, insulin resistance/diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, smoking, environmental exposure, and lack of physical exercise.
The current and projected incidence and mortality rates empower patients, clinicians, and policymakers. Data on RC epidemiology, genetic predisposition, and risk factors may facilitate early detection, aid selective genetic testing, and guide risk-adapted prevention and screening strategies.
European urology. 2025 Jul 31 [Epub ahead of print]
Alessandro Larcher, Riccardo Campi, Axel Bex, Freddie Bray, Laura Bukavina, Eric Jonasch, Ahmedin Jemal, W Marston Linehan, Laura Marandino, Maria Carmen Mir, Veronica Mollica, Brian Shuch, Grant D Stewart, Hyuna Sung, Maxine Tran, Alexander Kutikov
Department of Urology, Division of Oncology, Urological Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; VHL Program, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: ., Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy., Department of Urology, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, The Royal Free London National Health Service Foundation Trust, University College London, London, UK; The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands., Cancer Surveillance Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France., Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA., Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA., Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA., Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA., Renal and Melanoma Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK., Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario La Ribera, Valencia, Spain., Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy., Institute of Urologic Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA., Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK; Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK., Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences, University College London, London, UK., Department of Urology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.