What causes kidney cancer (renal cell cancer)?
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A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'. (See separate leaflet called 'What Causes Cancer' for more details.)
Many people develop kidney cancer for no apparent reason. However, certain risk factors increase the chance that kidney cancer may develop. These include:
- Age. Most cases develop in people over the age of 60. It is uncommon in people under 50.
- Smoking. About a third of kidney cancers are thought to be caused by smoking. Some of the chemicals from tobacco get into the body and are passed out in urine. These chemicals in the urine can be carcinogenic (damaging) to kidney tubule cells.
- Other chemical carcinogens. Some workplace chemicals have been linked to an increased risk of kidney cancer. For example, asbestos, cadmium, and some organic solvents.
- Obesity. The hormone balance can be upset in obese people, particularly obese women, which may be the reason for this.
- Kidney dialysis. People on long term dialysis have an increased risk. This is probably related to the underlying kidney disease which leads to kidney failure (such as types of kidney inflammation) rather than to the dialysis itself.
- Gender. Kidney cancer is twice as common in men than women.
- Genetic factors may play a role in some cases. (A 'faulty gene' which runs in some families may sometimes trigger kidney cancer. Also, people with some rare genetic disorders have a higher risk of developing kidney cancer. For example, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, and tuberous sclerosus.)
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