Kidney cancer

The incidence of kidney cancer in Norway is similar to that of many other Western European countries, including the Nordic countries.

Kidney cancer usually develops slowly and rarely causes symptoms in the early stages when the tumor is small.

The disease is primarily treated surgically. For some patients, medication, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy may also be suitable treatment options.

Risk factors

• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Men who have received radiation therapy for testicular cancer and women who have received radiation therapy for cervical cancer, as well as those who have had thyroid cancer, have a slightly increased risk.
• Frequent use of painkillers and diuretics

Kidney cancer is hereditary in about 2% of cases, either due to von Hippel-Lindau disease or other very rare hereditary conditions. This is most common in young people and often affects both kidneys.

Source: kreftforeningen.no

New cases

In 2023, 958 people in Norway were diagnosed with kidney cancer. The rate per 100,000 person-years is 22.5 for men and 9.0 for women.

Age distribution

The median age for kidney cancer diagnosis is 67 years, meaning half of all diagnosed individuals are older than 67.

Most people diagnosed are between 60 and 80 years old. The disease is rare in individuals under 40, but children can be affected by a specific type of kidney cancer called Wilms' tumor.

Survival

The five-year relative survival rate in 2023 is 80.2% for men and 82.5% for women.

The survival rate for patients with metastatic disease is significantly lower, at 25.4% for men and 18.8% for women.

The figure shows relative survival by sex, 2019-2023, from Figure 8.2-R in Cancer in Norway 2023

The figure shows relative survival by age, 2019-2023, from Fig. 8.2-R in Cancer in Norway 2023

Survivors with kidney cancer

As of December 31, 2023, there were 9,564 people in Norway living with a kidney cancer diagnosis at some point in their medical history.

Of these, 2,885 were diagnosed less than five years ago, and 3,187 are long-term survivors, diagnosed more than ten years ago.

Over the past decade, the number of kidney cancer survivors has increased by 3,850.

Mortality

More men are diagnosed with and die from kidney cancer than women.

In 2022, 130 men and 74 women in Norway died from kidney cancer.

Trends over time

The incidence rates of kidney cancer have steadily increased since 1965, particularly among men. In the last decade, rates have leveled off for men and remained relatively stable for women over the past 20 years.

There has been a significant increase in survival rates since the early 2000s, and today, about 80% of patients survive their kidney cancer for five years or more.

The figure shows trends in the incidence (dark blue), mortality (light blue) and 5-year relative survival (green) of kidney cancer for men in the period 1965-2023. From Figure 9.1-L in Cancer in Norway 2023 Cancer in Norway 2023

The figure shows trends in the incidence (red), mortality (pink) and 5-year relative survival (brown) of kidney cancer for women in the period 1965-2023. From Figure 9.1-L in Cancer in Norway 2023

Prevention measures

• Avoid tobacco. Nicotine in all tobacco products, including cigarettes, snus, and chewing tobacco, likely affects kidney cells.

• Maintain a healthy body weight and avoid obesity. The risk is highest in women with severe obesity.

• Aim to keep blood pressure as normal as possible. Blood pressure is influenced by both lifestyle and genetics. High blood pressure is more common in older adults.

• Drink alcohol in moderation.

• Follow safety guidelines when handling hazardous substances at work. Exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene, cadmium, pesticides, solvents, and asbestos can increase the risk.

For more information, visit Norwegian Cancer Society's page on kidney cancer and read about cancer prevention on the Cancer Registry's website.

Questions about cancer

The Cancer Registry of Norway is a research institution. Our professionals do not answer questions about diagnosis, investigation, treatment, and follow-up from patients or their relatives.

Inquiries about this information should be directed to your general practitioner, treating institution, or the Norwegian Cancer Society's advisory service at phone: +47 21 49 49 21

Useful links

Read more about kidney cancer on helsenorge.no

Read more about kidney cancer on kreftforeningen.no

Nasjonal guidelines for the diagnosis , treatment, and follow-up of kidney cancer patients

Kidney (renal cell) cancer on the National Cancer Institute website