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Cancer

Renal Cancer Incidence and Mortality May Double by 2050

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Renal cancer is a growing global health concern, with significant variations in incidence and mortality rates by geographic area and sex. According to a recent study published in European Urology, the global burden of renal cancer will increase substantially by 2050, with a projected 72% rise in new cases and a 96% increase in deaths. The researchers analyzed data from the Global Cancer Observatory of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, highlighting the importance of identifying nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors to mitigate this trend.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study estimates that globally, 434,840 individual cases and 155,953 individual deaths were identified in 2022.
  • By 2050, 745,791 new cases (+72 percent) and 304,861 new deaths (+96 percent) are expected, indicating a significant increase in renal cancer incidence and mortality.
  • Nonmodifiable risk factors for renal cancer include sex, geography, ethnicity/ancestry, and family history, while modifiable risk factors include obesity, insulin resistance/diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, smoking, environmental exposure, and lack of physical exercise.
  • The five-year overall survival rate for renal cancer varied across geographic areas, ranging from 40 to 75 percent.
  • Pathogenic variants, such as VHL, ELOC, TSC1/2, MET, FLCN, PRDM10, SDHA/B/C/D, MiTF, CDC73, FH, PTEN, BAP1, SMARCB1, CHEK2, MUTYH, BRCA2, ATM, and APC, predispose individuals to renal cancer.

Statistics:

  • 434,840 individual cases of renal cancer were identified globally in 2022.
  • 155,953 individual deaths from renal cancer were reported worldwide in 2022.
  • By 2050, 745,791 new cases of renal cancer are expected, representing a 72% increase.
  • The number of new deaths from renal cancer is expected to rise by 96% by 2050, reaching 304,861.
  • The five-year overall survival rate for renal cancer varies significantly across geographic areas, ranging from 40 to 75 percent.

Sources:

  • Larcher A, et al. (2025) Global epidemiology of renal cancer: a report of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, European Urology, 68(4), 547-555. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2024.11.003 (available via HealthDay News)
  • International Agency for Research on Cancer, Global Cancer Observatory
  • European Urology (2025) Volume 68, Issue 4, 547-555.

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