Changes in Kidney Cancer Detection During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in the journal Cancers has analyzed the demographic and clinical characteristics of kidney cancer patients during the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods. The research, conducted at the University of Pecs, Hungary, found significant changes in the detection of kidney cancer, including a decline in incidental tumor detection and an increase in symptomatic presentation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from 400 patients aged 18 years or older diagnosed with kidney cancer at a large regional Hungarian clinical center during two time periods: the pre-COVID-19 period (January 2019 to March 2020) and the COVID-19 period (March 2020 to May 2021).
  • During the pandemic, monthly kidney cancer diagnoses declined by 10.3%.
  • The proportion of female patients rose significantly from 31.9% to 42.9% (p = 0.023).
  • Incidental tumor detection decreased from 82.4% to 72.4% (p = 0.018), while symptomatic presentation increased from 14.2% to 19.4%, although not significantly (p = 0.166).
  • Non-incidental detection was associated with a 3.42-fold increase in odds of advanced cancer pre-pandemic and a 2.03-fold increase during the pandemic.
  • Symptomatic presentation raised these odds by 4.51 and 2.76 times, respectively.
  • The study revealed changes in kidney cancer detection during the pandemic, including a rise in the proportion of female patients and a decline in case numbers.
  • Non-incidental discovery and symptom presence remained predictors of advanced-stage disease, although the odds were lower.

Statistics:

  • 400 patients analyzed in the study
  • 10.3% decline in monthly kidney cancer diagnoses during the pandemic
  • 31.9% to 42.9% increase in proportion of female patients (p = 0.023)
  • 82.4% to 72.4% decrease in incidental tumor detection (p = 0.018)
  • 14.2% to 19.4% increase in symptomatic presentation (p = 0.166)
  • 3.42-fold increase in odds of advanced cancer for non-incidental detection pre-pandemic
  • 2.03-fold increase in odds of advanced cancer for non-incidental detection during the pandemic
  • 4.51 and 2.76 times increase in odds of advanced cancer for symptomatic presentation, respectively

Sources:

  • Cancers journal, "Changes In the Characteristics of Kidney Cancer Detection During the Covid-19 Pandemic" (2025;17(13):2150)
  • University of Pecs, Medicine School, Dept. of Public Health Medicine, Szigeti St 12, H-7624 Pecs, Hungary (contact: Eva Pozsgai)
  • Cancers can be contacted at: Mdpi, St Alban-Anlage 66, Ch-4052 Basel, Switzerland
  • NewsRx, "New COVID-19 Study Findings Have Been Reported by Researchers at University of Pecs (Changes In the Characteristics of Kidney Cancer Detection During the Covid-19 Pandemic)" (August 5, 2025; p 97)