What is kidney cancer?

The term kidney cancer refers to any malignant tumour that grows in the area of the kidney.
In German, the corresponding term (Nierenkrebs) is also used to mean specifically renal cell cancer, which starts in kidney cells involved in normal kidney function. This is the most common cancer of the kidney, representing more than 90% of all kidney cancers. Occasionally tumours of the renal pelvis or tumours originating from other types of tissue can also occur. Below, we look in more detail at renal cell cancer.

How common is renal cell cancer?

Renal cell cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in adults. In Germany, around 15,000 people will develop renal cell cancer every year.
It is slightly more common in men than in women.
The incidence of renal cell cancer increases with age, with the average age of onset being about 70–75. Malignant renal cell cancer is relatively rare in children.

What causes kidney cancer?

It is not yet known exactly what causes renal cell cancer. It is, however, more common in smokers and people exposed to harmful environmental influences (for example toxic heavy metals such as cadmium and lead), and can occasionally be caused by inherited conditions such as von Hippel-Lindau disease.
The risk of developing renal cell cancer can also be increased by kidney failure, being overweight, high blood pressure, or a high fat and protein diet.

Are there any warning signs of renal cell cancer?

Renal cell cancer is problematic in that there are rarely any early symptoms, and it is often only discovered by chance.
As with many other types of cancer, general, non-specific warning signs include night sweats, unintentional weight loss, fatigue and fever.
Renal cell cancer causes symptoms such as flank pain, blood in the urine or a palpable swelling only when it is already at an advanced stage.