Kidney cancer: A sharp rise in kidney cancer is likely over the next quarter century, with global cases and deaths projected to nearly double by 2050 if current trends persist, according to an international analysis published in European Urology. Researchers from Europe, the US and the UK examined national incidence and mortality estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s Global Cancer Observatory.
The study reports 434,840 new kidney cancer cases and 155,953 deaths worldwide in 2022. By 2050, the authors project 745,791 new cases (a 72% increase) and 304,861 deaths (a 96% increase). Rates vary by geography and sex, and five-year survival ranges from 40% to 75%, with wealthier regions expected to see gains through earlier detection via routine imaging and better access to surgery and radiotherapy.
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While an estimated 5%–8% of cases are genetic, the researchers attribute more than half of the global burden to preventable factors, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, smoking, environmental exposures and low physical activity.
“Kidney cancer is a growing global health problem, and both clinicians and policymakers need to prepare for this steep rise,” said senior author Alexander Kutikov, chair of urology at Fox Chase Cancer Centre. He added that lifestyle changes, including weight control, blood pressure and glucose management, and especially smoking cessation, can meaningfully lower risk.
In another report, a recent Lancet analysis projected a 75% increase in annual cancer deaths over 25 years, with about 40% of global cancer mortality linked to 44 modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and elevated blood sugar.
