Dr Bowman on Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer Development

“The challenge with kidney cancer is that there are honestly not a ton of modifiable risk factors other than focusing on health and exercise, [which] reduce the risk of cancer in general. The recommendation is [that patients and providers should be] on the lookout for symptoms. [Patients should not] ignore things if they pop up, and [they should] try to live a healthy lifestyle.”

I. Alex Bowman, MD, the co-director of the Genitourinary Oncology Program at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center and an adjunct assistant professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, highlighted risk factors associated with an increased risk of developing kidney cancer.

Unlike lung cancer, where tobacco use represents a well-established and dominant risk factor, the etiology of kidney cancer is more multifactorial and less distinctly attributable to a single cause, Bowman began. However, cigarette smoking does contribute to increased kidney cancer risk and remains a relevant factor given its broader adverse health effects, he noted.

Among modifiable risk factors, uncontrolled hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are notable, Bowman shared. CKD, especially in the advanced stages, has been shown to elevate the risk of renal malignancies, he said. Although the precise mechanisms of this disease remain under investigation, its association with kidney cancer is consistent across observational studies, he added. Additionally, long-standing or poorly managed hypertension may contribute to renal cell carcinogenesis, potentially through mechanisms involving vascular injury and inflammation, Bowman explained.

Certain environmental exposures, such as industrial solvents, specific insecticides, and other chemical agents like trichloroethylene, have also been implicated in the development of kidney cancer, Bowman continued. Although epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a correlation between these exposures and increased kidney cancer risk, such exposures are relatively rare in everyday settings and typically pertain to specific occupational environments, he stated.

Despite growing insights into these risk factors, kidney cancer lacks a large number of clearly modifiable drivers, Bowman noted. As such, risk-reduction recommendations often focus on maintaining overall health, with an emphasis on lifestyle modifications known to reduce general cancer risk, he said. These include maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco use, and managing comorbidities, such as hypertension, Bowman detailed.

Because kidney cancer can remain asymptomatic in its early stages, vigilance regarding potential warning signs and timely evaluation of symptoms remains important, he emphasized. Early detection, even in the absence of robust screening protocols, may allow for more favorable outcomes through earlier intervention, Bowman concluded.