Understanding Kidney Cancer

What Are the Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer?

Last updated and reviewed on June 13, 2026.

A risk factor is anything that raises your chances of developing a certain disease. Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely get kidney cancer. And many people who are diagnosed with kidney cancer have none of the known risk factors. Still, knowing what raises your risk helps you and your doctor make informed decisions about your health, lifestyle, and screening.

What Raises Your Risk for Developing Kidney Cancer?

Smoking. Cigarettes are one of the most significant modifiable (changeable) risk factors for kidney cancer. Smokers are roughly twice as likely to develop kidney cancer as non-smokers. The risk goes up with the number of years smoked and the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The good news is that people who quit smoking lower their risk over time, though it may take many years to return to the level of a non-smoker. Cigar and pipe smoking also raises risk. Secondhand smoke exposure may contribute as well.

Obesity. Being overweight or obese is a well-established risk factor for kidney cancer. People with a body mass index (BMI) in the obese range have about a 70–80% higher risk of kidney cancer compared to people at a healthy weight. Researchers believe that excess body fat may raise levels of certain hormones (like insulin and estrogen) and cause inflammation, all of which can promote cancer development. Obesity is one of the fastest-growing risk factors for kidney cancer in the United States.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). People with high blood pressure have a higher risk of developing kidney cancer. It is not fully clear whether it is the high blood pressure itself, the medications used to treat it, or a combination of both that raises the risk. However, untreated or poorly controlled high blood pressure appears to be an independent risk factor for kidney cancer. Managing blood pressure with lifestyle changes and/or medications is important for overall health.

Long-term Dialysis People who have been on kidney dialysis (a machine that cleans the blood when the kidneys have failed) for many years develop a condition called acquired cystic kidney disease, where fluid-filled sacs (cysts) form in the kidneys. This condition raises the risk of kidney cancer significantly. People on long-term dialysis should talk to their doctor about monitoring their kidneys for signs of cancer.

Family History. Having a close relative, such as a parent, sibling, or child who has had kidney cancer, raises your own risk. This is particularly true if multiple family members are affected or if kidney cancer appears at a younger-than-usual age. In some cases, a shared family risk may be explained by an inherited gene mutation (see Genetics, below). In other cases, the elevated risk may reflect shared environmental or lifestyle factors.

Inherited Gene Changes. Some gene mutations that are passed down through families significantly raise a person's risk of kidney cancer. The most important inherited conditions linked to kidney cancer include:

• Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome: Caused by mutations in the VHL gene on chromosome 3. People with VHL are at high risk for clear cell RCC, often developing multiple tumors in both kidneys. They may also develop tumors in the eyes, brain, spinal cord, adrenal glands, and pancreas.
• Hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma (HPRC): Caused by mutations in the MET gene. It leads to multiple papillary (type 1) kidney tumors, often in both kidneys.
• Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome: A rare inherited condition (FLCNgene mutation) that raises the risk for chromophobe and other kidney cancers, as well as causing skin growths and lung cysts.
• Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC): Caused by FH gene mutations. It is associated with aggressive papillary type 2 RCC, as well as benign smooth muscle tumors of the skin and uterus.
• Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) kidney cancer: Caused by mutations in SDH genes; results in a rare, specific type of kidney tumor.

If you have a personal or family history suggesting one of these conditions, genetic counseling and testing may be recommended.

Workplace Chemical Exposures. Long-term, heavy exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace has been linked to kidney cancer. These include:

• Trichloroethylene: A solvent used in metal degreasing and dry cleaning. It is classified as a known human carcinogen for kidney cancer.
• Cadmium: A metal used in batteries, welding, and electroplating.
• Asbestos: Found in older building materials and industrial settings.
• Certain herbicides and organic solvents.

Following workplace safety rules, using proper protective equipment, and minimizing exposure to these substances can reduce risk.

Sex and Age. Kidney cancer is about twice as common in men as in women. It is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 65 and 74. It is uncommon in people under age 45, though it can occur at any age, including in children (usually as a Wilms tumor). The reasons for the sex difference are not fully understood but may relate to differences in smoking rates, obesity, and hormonal factors.

Race and Ethnicity. Black Americans and American Indian/Alaska Native people have slightly higher rates of kidney cancer than white Americans, though the reasons for these differences are not fully clear. Differences in rates of risk factors like obesity and hypertension, as well as access to healthcare, likely contribute.

Certain Medications. Some studies have suggested that long-term, heavy use of certain over-the-counter pain medicines (particularly phenacetin, which is no longer available in the U.S.) can raise the risk of kidney cancer. The use of diuretics (water pills) has also been associated with a slight increase in risk in some studies, though it is not clear whether this is due to the medication itself or the high blood pressure being treated.

Radiation Exposure. People who have received radiation therapy to the abdomen for prior cancers may have a slightly higher risk of developing kidney cancer. This is a rare cause of kidney cancer, but it is worth discussing with your doctor if you have a history of prior radiation treatment.

Important note: Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will develop kidney cancer. Many people with several risk factors never get the disease, and many people who do get kidney cancer have no known risk factors. Talk to your doctor about your personal risk level.

Sources

1. American Cancer Society. Kidney Cancer Risk Factors. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/kidney-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
2. National Cancer Institute. Renal Cell Cancer Treatment (PDQ) – Patient Version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/kidney/patient/kidney-treatment-pdq
3. Chow WH, Dong LM, Devesa SS. Epidemiology and risk factors for kidney cancer. Nature Reviews Urology. 2010;7(5):245–257.
4. Linehan WM, Ricketts CJ. The Cancer Genome Atlas of renal cell carcinoma. Nature Reviews Nephrology. 2019.
5. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene, and Some Other Chlorinated Agents. IARC Monographs. Vol. 106.