Kidney cancer originates in the kidneys, two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine that filter waste from the blood. Understanding kidney cancer statistics, including incidence and patient outcomes, provides a clearer picture of its prevalence and public health impact.
Understanding New Cases
Incidence refers to the rate at which new cases of a disease appear in a population over a specific period. Globally, kidney cancer is estimated to have around 400,000 new cases diagnosed annually, with a worldwide age-standardized incidence rate of 4.6 per 100,000 people in 2020. It is the 16th most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide, with projections indicating continued global incidence increases over the next decade.
In the United States, about 81,610 new cases of kidney cancer are estimated to be diagnosed in 2024, affecting approximately 52,380 men and 29,230 women. Kidney cancer is among the top 10 most common cancers for both men and women in the U.S., accounting for about 4% to 5% of all cancer diagnoses. The lifetime risk of developing kidney cancer is approximately 1 in 43 (2.3%) for men and 1 in 73 (1.4%) for women.
Outcomes and Survival Rates
About 175,000 deaths are attributed to kidney cancer globally each year. In the United States, around 14,390 people are projected to die from kidney cancer in 2024, including 9,450 men and 4,940 women. The age-adjusted death rate in the U.S. was 3.4 per 100,000 men and women per year based on data from 2019–2023.
Survival rates for kidney cancer vary based on how far the cancer has spread at diagnosis, categorized as localized, regional, or distant. For localized kidney cancer, confined to the kidney, the 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 93%. When the cancer has spread to nearby structures or lymph nodes (regional stage), the 5-year relative survival rate is about 75%. If the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, brain, or bones (distant stage), the 5-year relative survival rate decreases to around 18%. The overall 5-year relative survival rate for all stages of kidney cancer combined in the U.S. is about 78%.
Statistical Profiles and Risk Factors
Kidney cancer incidence and outcomes vary across different demographic groups. The average age of diagnosis is 65 years, with most individuals diagnosed between ages 55 and 74. It is uncommon in those younger than 45. Men are approximately twice as likely to develop kidney cancer compared to women, partly due to historical differences in smoking rates and occupational chemical exposures.
Incidence rates also vary by race and ethnicity in the United States:
American Indian and Alaska Native populations show the highest incidence rates.
Non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and Asian and Pacific Islander populations follow.
Non-Hispanic Black men have had the highest age-standardized incidence rate at 24.53 per 100,000 people from 2000 to 2019.
Asian/Pacific Islanders generally show lower incidence and higher survival rates compared to other racial/ethnic groups.
Several established risk factors increase the likelihood of developing kidney cancer. Smoking significantly increases the risk, with the risk decreasing slowly after quitting. Obesity is another risk factor, as excess body weight may lead to hormonal changes that increase kidney cancer risk. High blood pressure (hypertension) is also associated with an increased risk, which is not lowered even with medication. A family history of kidney cancer, especially among siblings, also increases an individual’s risk, possibly due to shared genes or environmental factors.
Trends Over Time
Kidney cancer statistics show distinct trends over recent decades. In the United States, age-adjusted incidence rates for kidney and renal pelvis cancer remained stable from 2013 to 2022. However, between 1975 and 2009, age-adjusted incidence rates for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common type of kidney cancer, increased by 2.76% per year. This increase was predominantly driven by a rise in localized stage diagnoses, which saw an annual increase of 4.55% during the same period, possibly due to increased use of imaging techniques like ultrasound and CT scans.
Mortality rates have also changed. Global kidney cancer mortality is projected to continue increasing over the next decade. In the United States, age-adjusted death rates have been falling by an average of 1.4% each year from 2014 to 2023. Conversely, in the UK, mortality rates have increased by 73% since the early 1970s. Despite these incidence increases, 5-year survival rates have generally improved over time. For instance, in the U.S., the overall 5-year cancer-specific survival rate for all stages improved from 47.5% between 1975 and 2005 to 64.9%. This improvement has been observed across all stages of the disease.