Kidney Cancer
The most common form of kidney cancer begins in the lining of the very small tubes known as tubules, which process blood filtrate and reabsorb water, nutrients, and electrolytes back into the bloodstream. This form of kidney cancer is also called renal cell cancer or renal cell adenocarcinoma. Cancer that starts in the ureters or the renal pelvis, the part of the kidney that collects urine and drains it to the ureters, is different from renal cell cancer and is known as transitional cell cancer.
Smoking and misuse of certain pain medicines, including over-the-counter pain medicines, can increase the risk of renal cell cancer. In addition, having excess body weight, having high blood pressure, and having a family history of renal cell cancer and certain genetic conditions, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease or hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, increase the risk of kidney cancer.
The National Cancer Institute estimated that about 80,450 new cases of kidney and renal pelvis cancer would be diagnosed and 15,160 people would die from these diseases in the United States in 2026. The five-year relative survival rate is estimated to be about 79.2%.
Renal Cell Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)Source: National Cancer Institute
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