Cancer More Cancer Types Kidney Cancer Guide Kidney Cancer Guide Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Causes and Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer By Lynne Eldridge, MD Lynne Eldridge, MD Facebook Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time." Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 30, 2022 Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD LinkedIn Kashif J. Piracha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 14 years of experience treating patients in acute care hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print We don't know the exact causes of kidney cancer, but there are several risk factors that increase the chance of developing the disease. Kidney cancer is more common in males, smokers, and people who are obese, have been exposed to certain chemicals at work, or have medical conditions such as high blood pressure. Your risk of kidney cancer is also higher if you have a family history of the disease or if you've inherited certain genetic syndromes. The incidence of kidney cancer has been increasing since the 1990s, though it has leveled off in the past few years. According to the American Cancer Society, the increase in diagnosis was likely due to newer imaging tests, such as CT scans, that improved the ability to identify and stage the disease. If you learn that you are at increased risk, you may feel overwhelmed. Remember, having elevated risk does not guarantee that you'll develop cancer, and there are still some factors that are in your control. Speak to your healthcare professional about any lifestyle changes you can implement to help prevent kidney cancer from developing—like managing your weight, exercise, and healthy eating, and be aware of common symptoms so that you can follow up as needed. Illustration by Verywell Lifestyle Risk Factors The exact causes of kidney cancer have not been identified, but we know that this type of cancer usually begins when a series of genetic mutations in a normal kidney cell transforms it into a cancer cell. There are several risk factors that may increase the chance of developing kidney cancer, but they do not necessarily cause the cancer to occur. It's also important to note that many people develop kidney cancer even without having any risk factors for the disease. Age The risk of kidney cancer increases with age, though these cancers have been found in people of all ages, even children. The disease is diagnosed most commonly between the ages of 50 and 70. Sex Kidney cancer is roughly twice as common in males as in females. Illustration by Verywell Race The risk of kidney cancer is slightly higher in Blacks than Whites. Geography Kidney cancers are more common among those who live in urban areas than in rural areas. Smoking Smoking is a clear risk factor for kidney cancer, and people who smoke are 50% more likely to develop the disease. Smoking is thought to be responsible for 30% of kidney cancers in males and 25% of kidney cancers in females. The risk of kidney cancer is related to the number of pack-years smoked, or the number of cigarettes smoked daily multiplied by the number of years a person smoked. The risk of kidney cancer decreases when a person quits smoking, but it can remain elevated for a long time. The risk finally drops to that of a never-smoker around 10 years after quitting. Obesity People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop kidney cancer. In fact, obesity is thought to be responsible for 1 out of 4 kidney cancers. Obesity leads to changes in hormone levels in the body that could be related to this risk. Medications There are some medications that are clearly associated with kidney cancer, and others where we still aren't certain whether there is a risk. One class of pain medications has long been linked with kidney cancer. Phenacetin, a painkiller that was once widely used, was banned in the United States in 1983 due to this concern. That said, if you've used this medication in the past, it's important to tell your healthcare provider about it. Kidney Cancer Healthcare Provider Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. It appears that Phenacetin is a very significant risk factor for the development of the disease. One study found that the incidence of kidney cancer in Australia dropped by 52% in females and 39% in males over the 30 year period after the medication was banned in that country in 1979. There is some concern that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil (ibuprofen) may increase the risk. A link has also been found between the use of aspirin and Tylenol (acetaminophen) and kidney cancer. These risks are thought to primarily occur with overuse, and it is an important reason to maintain moderation when using these medications. Diuretics or "water pills" (specifically, hydrochlorothiazide) may also be associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer. At the current time, it's not certain whether the risk is related to the use of these drugs to treat high blood pressure or due to the presence of high blood pressure itself. Medical Conditions Medical conditions that have been associated with kidney cancer include: High blood pressure Immunosuppression: A suppressed immune system, whether due to drugs for organ transplants, inherited immune disorders, acquired diseases such as HIV/AIDS, or other forms of immunosuppression increases the risk of most types of cancer. Diabetes: The risk of kidney cancer is slightly higher in people with diabetes, particularly those who have been treated with insulin. Radiation therapy for another cancer: Females who have had radiation for cervical cancer or males who had radiation for testicular cancer have an elevated risk. HIV/AIDS: Immunosuppression alone is a risk factor for kidney cancer, and the medications used to treat HIV may increase risk as well. Advanced kidney disease: People with advanced-stage kidney disease, particularly those who are on dialysis, have an increased risk. Chronic hepatitis C infection: Recently, hepatitis C has also been found to increase the risk of kidney cancer. It's now recommended that anyone born between 1945 and 1965 have a blood test to screen for hepatitis C, as the disease usually doesn't cause symptoms until it has done significant damage. Kidney stones: Kidney stones may be a risk factor in males, but this association has not been seen in females. Chemical Exposures Most exposures to substances and chemicals that raise risk are related to on-the-job (occupational) exposures. Some of these include exposure to: Trichloroethylene, an organic solvent used to strip paint from metalsPerchloroethylene, used in dry cleaning and metal degreasingCadmium, found in cadmium batteriesAsbestos, found in older constructionBenzene, found in gasolineSome herbicides, used in farming Reproductive Factors Results from more than one study indicate that after a hysterectomy, females have a significantly increased risk of developing kidney cancer (approximately 30 to 40%). In contrast, the risk of kidney cancer is lower in females who have their first period (menarche) at a later age, and those who have used the birth control pill (oral contraceptives). Genetics Most people who develop kidney cancer do not have a family history of the disease, but having a family history of this cancer increases the risk. Having a first-degree relative with the disease (parent, sibling, or child) doubles the risk, and the risk is higher if a sibling has the disease (suggesting an environmental component as well). The risk of kidney cancer is also higher when more than one relative (even extended relatives) has the disease, especially if the family member was diagnosed before the age of 50 or had more than one kidney cancer. If you have more than one family member who has been diagnosed with kidney cancer, or if you have family members who have been diagnosed at a young age, there is a possibility that one of the genetic syndromes that are associated with kidney cancer could run in your family. These syndromes are currently thought to account for 5 to 8% of kidney cancers. Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome: People with this syndrome have a very high risk of clear cell renal carcinoma (around 40% develop the disease), due to a mutation in the VHL gene Hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma Hereditary leiomyoma-renal cell-renal cell carcinoma Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome Cowden syndrome Tuberous sclerosis It's possible that you or other family members may have a genetic syndrome that's associated with an elevated risk even if none of your family members have been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Frequently Asked Questions Does dialysis cause kidney cancer? Likely not. Though there is a clear link between being on dialysis for long periods and the development of renal cancer, advanced kidney disease is considered to be the cause of the cancer. Can I get kidney cancer if I take too much pain medication? According to some studies, use of acetaminophen and non-aspirin NSAIDs can put you at risk for kidney cancer. Even infrequent use of these pain killers may increase your likelihood of developing renal cell carcinoma. Aspirin does not have the same effect. How can I lower my risk of kidney disease? Some risk factors are beyond your control, such as a genetic predisposition or an underlying medical condition such as type 1 diabetes.However, you can take these actions to lower your risk:Don’t smokeMaintain a healthy weightAvoid exposure to harmful substances such as trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, and asbestos 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Cancer Society. Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer American Cancer Society. Key Statistics About Kidney Cancer Antoni S, Soerjomataram I, Moore S, et al. The ban on phenacetin is associated with changes in the incidence trends of upper-urinary tract cancers in Australia. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2014;38(5):455-8. doi:10.1111/1753-6405.12252 Balakrishnan, M., Glover, M., Kanwal, F. et al. Hepatitis C and Risk of Nonhepatic Malignancies. Clinical Liver Disease. 2017. 21(3):543-554 Karami S, Daugherty SE, Schonfeld SJ, et al. Reproductive factors and kidney cancer risk in 2 US cohort studies, 1993-2010. Am J Epidemiol. 2013;177(12):1368-77. National Cancer Institute. Genetics of Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Cancer) (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version National Kidney Foundation. Kidney cancer. Choueiri TK, Je Y, Cho E. Analgesic use and the risk of kidney cancer: A meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies: Analgesics and kidney cancer risk. Int J Cancer. 2014;134(2):384-396. doi:10.1002%2Fijc.28093 American Cancer Society. Can kidney cancer be prevented? Additional Reading American Society of Clinical Oncology. Cancer.Net. Kidney Cancer: Risk Factors and Prevention. Antoni, S., Soerjomataram, I., Moore, S. et al. The Ban on Phenacetin is Associated with Changes in the Incidence of Upper-Urinary Tract Cancers in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 38(5):455-8. Balakrishnan, M., Glover, M., Kanwal, F. et al. Hepatitis C and Risk of Nonhepatic Malignancies. Clinical Liver Disease. 21(3):543-554. Karami, S.., Daughtery, S., Schonfeld, S. et al. Reproductive Factors and Kidney Cancer Risk in 2 US Cohort Studies, 1993-2010. American Journal of Epidemiology. 177(12):1368-77. By Lynne Eldridge, MD Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time." See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit