Kidney cancer can arise from any of the structures in the kidneys. According to the National Cancer Institute, it includes renal cell carcinoma, arising from the cells lining the small tubes of the kidney, renal pelvis carcinoma, arising from the center of the kidney where urine collects and Wilms' tumor in children. The exact cause of kidney cancer is not known, but there are risk factors associated with this type of cancer.
Lifestyle and Occupational Factors
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) states that smoking doubles the risk for kidney cancer and is believed to cause about 30 percent of cancers in men and about 25 percent of kidney cancers in women.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), people who are obese are more likely to develop cancer of the kidneys. Hormonal imbalance in obesity is thought to contribute to this factor. The ASCO notes that people who work with cadmium, such as batteries, paints and welding, are at a higher risk of developing kidney cancer. Other workplace exposures that can increase the risk of kidney cancer are asbestos, benzene, some herbicides and organic solvents especially trichloroethylene.
Genetic and Hereditary Risk Factors
According to the ACS, some hereditary illnesses increase the risk of developing kidney cancer. These include von Hippel-Lindau disease, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome and hereditary renal oncocytoma. A strong family history of kidney cancer, even in the absence of the aforementioned hereditary illnesses, also increases the risk of developing kidney cancer.
Other Risk Factors
According to the ASCO, the once popular analgesic, phenacetin, was banned because of its strong link to kidney cancer. Other drugs linked to the development of kidney cancer include diuretics, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin.
African-Americans are more likely to develop kidney cancer. The cancer also occurs more in the elderly, usually between 50 to 70 years of age, according to the ASCO. Men are also two times more likely than women to develop kidney cancer. The ACS links this fact to greater work place exposure and smoking in men. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, chronic renal disease with dialysis and tuberous sclerosis.
