Many people with kidney cancer are also living with additional health problems, known as comorbidities. The risk of kidney cancer increases with age. Half of people diagnosed with kidney cancer are older than 65. As the risk of kidney cancer increases with age, so does the risk of other health problems. As many as 3 out of 4 people with kidney cancer have at least one other comorbidity. Some health conditions existed before the cancer diagnosis, and others develop because of cancer or its treatment. In this article, we’ll review some of the most common conditions related to kidney cancer.

What Causes Kidney Cancer?

Kidney cancer is caused by genetic mutations (changes) that alter the way kidney cells grow and divide. When these genes aren’t working the way they should, kidney cells can grow out of control, causing a kidney tumor. Some genetic mutations associated with kidney cancer are inherited (passed down) from parents. However, most genetic mutations linked to kidney cancer are acquired throughout a person’s life.

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing a genetic mutation that can lead to kidney cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, risk factors for kidney cancer include:

• Smoking
• Male sex
• American Indian or Alaska Native heritage
• Family history of kidney cancer
• Long-term misuse of over-the-counter pain medications
• Exposure to certain chemicals, such as cadmium
• Past radiation therapy
• High blood pressure
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Diabetes

Certain health conditions and inherited disorders can increase the risk of kidney cancer by causing genetic mutations or risk factors associated with kidney cancer.

1. Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that causes high blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar from diabetes can cause several different health problems, including kidney disease and heart disease.

Several studies have found a link between having diabetes and an increased risk of developing kidney cancer. Researchers estimate that people with diabetes have about a 40 percent higher risk of kidney cancer compared to people without diabetes. Some studies suggest that the risk of kidney cancer is higher in people with type 1 diabetes and people who use insulin to manage their diabetes.

Researchers don’t fully understand how diabetes increases the risk of kidney cancer. However, it’s thought that diabetes-related inflammation may trigger a genetic mutation that leads to kidney cancer. Additionally, diabetes increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. It’s estimated that diabetes is related to about half of all cases of kidney disease around the world. People with kidney disease also have a higher risk of developing kidney cancer.

2. Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder that causes fluid-filled cysts (growths) to develop in the kidneys. The cysts can cause kidney damage and prevent the kidneys from properly filtering the blood. Eventually, PKD can lead to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure (when the kidneys aren’t able to function on their own). About 2 percent of kidney failure cases are related to PKD.

Several studies have found a link between PKD and kidney cancer. In one study, almost 9 percent of people with PKD also had kidney cancer. Additionally, PKD can result in other risk factors for kidney cancer, including high blood pressure and kidney stones.

Most people with PKD will eventually need dialysis treatment to remove waste and toxins from the blood. In people with kidney disease, the risk of developing kidney cancer may be even higher among those receiving dialysis treatment.

3. Kidney Failure

Kidney failure is when the kidneys can no longer work the way they should. The most common causes of kidney failure are diabetes and high blood pressure. Both of these conditions are also risk factors for kidney cancer.

Without treatment, kidney failure can cause end-stage renal disease (ESRD). People with ESRD require dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant (surgery to implant a donated kidney) to live. The longer a person is on dialysis, the higher the risk of developing kidney cancer. Many healthcare professionals recommend testing for kidney cancer in people who’ve been on dialysis treatment for more than three years.

4. Obesity

People who are overweight or diagnosed with obesity have more weight than what’s considered healthy for their height. Recent studies found that this can increase a person’s odds of getting kidney cancer.

Obesity can lead to kidney cancer by causing chronic inflammation and hormone imbalance. Additionally, obesity increases the risk of developing other risk factors for kidney cancer, such as:

• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Kidney disease

5. Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are tiny crystals made of minerals or salts that can form in the kidneys. Several studies on the incidence (new cases) of urinary tract cancers have found that people who have had kidney stones have an increased risk of developing kidney cancer.

It’s thought that inflammation caused by kidney stones may be linked to the increased risk of cancer. Additionally, kidney stones and kidney cancer share several risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

6. Hereditary Conditions

Hereditary conditions are genetic changes inherited from a person’s parents that can increase the risk of developing kidney cancer. Most hereditary conditions associated with kidney cancer are rare and account for only a small fraction of kidney cancer cases. However, having one of these hereditary conditions can significantly raise the risk of kidney cancer, as well as several other types of cancer.

Hereditary conditions associated with kidney cancer include:

• Von Hippel-Lindau disease
• Hereditary papillary renal carcinoma
• Hereditary leiomyomatosis
• Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome
• Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma syndromes
• Cowden syndrome
• Tuberous sclerosis
• BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome
• Sickle cell disease

Genetic tests can detect genetic changes associated with many of these hereditary conditions. Ask your healthcare provider about a referral to a genetic counselor if you’re concerned about your risk of kidney cancer or if you have a family history of kidney cancer.

7. High Blood Pressure

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the force of blood pushing against your blood vessel walls is too high. High blood pressure is one of the most common comorbidities in people with cancer, occurring in about 38 percent of people with cancer. In kidney cancer, high blood pressure can both increase the risk of developing the disease and result from the cancer itself.

High Blood Pressure Increases the Risk of Kidney Cancer

Several studies have found an increased risk of developing kidney cancer in people with high blood pressure. It’s thought that high blood pressure may lead to kidney cancer by causing chronic inflammation and triggering genes that promote cancer cell growth. Additionally, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and cause serious health complications, including kidney disease and kidney failure, which are risk factors for kidney cancer.

The risk of kidney cancer likely isn’t linked to high blood pressure treatments, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). However, researchers are studying whether other high blood pressure medications may increase the risk.

Kidney Cancer Can Cause High Blood Pressure

Healthy kidneys help regulate blood pressure by releasing a hormone called renin. In kidney cancer, the kidneys may release more renin, leading to higher blood pressure.

Kidney cancer treatments can also cause high blood pressure. A nephrectomy (surgical removal of the kidney) can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular (heart) disease. Additionally, some targeted therapy drugs aimed at blood vessel growth can cause high blood pressure as a side effect.

8. Paraneoplastic Syndrome

A paraneoplastic syndrome is a collection of symptoms that can happen in people with cancer but aren’t caused by the tumor itself. Instead, symptoms can occur when the kidney tumor releases certain hormones that affect different body systems. About 20 percent of people diagnosed with kidney cancer have paraneoplastic syndrome.

The most common symptoms of paraneoplastic syndrome in kidney cancer include:

• High blood pressure
• Hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the blood)
• Polycythemia (abnormally high red blood cell count)
• Anemia (abnormally low red blood cell count)
• Liver problems
• Fever

Find Your Team

On MyKidneyCancerTeam, the social network for people living with kidney cancer and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with kidney cancer.

Do you have any conditions related to kidney cancer? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.