Epidemiology of Renal Cancer: Incidence, Mortality, Survival, Genetic Predisposition, and Risk Factors

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.