[5 min read]
In this article:
- The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025, about 80,980 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S., with some 9,550 men and 4,960 women dying from the disease.
- Kidney cancer is more common in people of African American, American Indian and Alaska Native descent.
- Experts attribute an increase in the prevalance of kidney cancer partly to the use of newer imaging tests such as CT scans, which have picked up some cancers that might never have been found otherwise.
- A Providence Swedish oncologist offers insight into this rare cancer and ts diagnosis and treatment.
In early November, University of Washington women’s soccer star goalkeeper Mia Hamant lost her battle with kidney cancer. She was just 21. Hamant’s death sent shockwaves across the UW community and beyond. In a statement released after Hamant’s death, Huskies Team Physician Ashwin Rao, M.D., commended Hamant’s tenacity on and off the field.
"I had the privilege of getting to know Mia throughout her four years as a student-athlete, and during her diagnosis and treatment. I was also fortunate to be with her to the end of her journey,” said Rao. “Throughout the process, Mia fought her cancer as fiercely as she played. She wished to be an inspiration to others also fighting cancer, as well as a source of awareness and destigmatization."
Hamant’s fight has put a poignant spotlight on kidney cancer, which is considered relatively rare with about 79,000 patients per year diagnosed in the United States. For comparison, some cases of 317,000 cases of breast cancer and 226,650 lung cancer are estimated to be diagnosed in the United States annually.
“Kidney cancer is also known as renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which are malignant tumors arising from parenchyma, or functional organ tissue, of the kidneys,” says Song Zhao, M.D., a medical oncologist at the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute’s First Hill campus. “Cells of kidney parenchyma are different from other cell types in kidney such as urothelial cell (also known as transitional cell) and connective tissue cells. Urothelial cell cancer (UCC) arises from layers of cells lining the urinary tract including renal pelvis. Cancer of connective tissues of the kidney is called sarcoma. Due to the differences in origin of RCC, UCC and sarcoma, they are managed differently.”
Demographically, kidney cancer is more commonly diagnosed in men than women, with men being twice as likely to develop the disease. It primarily affects older adults, with the average age of diagnosis around 64. Other risk factors contributing to higher diagnosis rates include smoking, obesity, hypertension, and a family history of kidney cancer.
Types and diagnosis
“There are several subtypes of RCC, in the order of prevalence, including clear cell, papillary, chromophobe, oncocytic, unclassified, collecting duct, and molecularly defined RCCs. There are no specific symptoms of RCC. Most common symptoms include blood in urine, abdominal pain, and unintentional weight loss,” says Dr. Zhao. “Many patients remain symptom-free until they reach an advanced stage. It is not uncommon for someone to be diagnosed with RCC incidentally when they undergo radiologic exams for an unrelated illness.”
“Mia had SMARCB1-deficient RCC, a very rare but aggressive variant of collecting duct tumors. It is most frequently found in patients with sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease. There is limited literature on treatment options for SMARCB1-deficient RCC, due to its rarity.”
SMARCB1 is a gene that provides the body with instructions for making proteins and keeping cells from dividing in an uncontrolled way. When the gene malfunctions or is suppressed, it can lead to cancer, as in Hamant’s case.
While kidney cancer is often asymptomatic in early stages, symptoms such as blood in the urine, unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, and back or side pain tend to appear only when the cancer has advanced. Furthermore, these symptoms can easily be mistaken for other less severe health issues, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds are typically employed for diagnosis, but even these require vigilant interpretation to identify abnormalities indicative of cancer.
Treatment options
Treatment for kidney cancer depends largely on the stage and type of cancer. Surgical intervention, particularly nephrectomy (removal of part or all of the kidney), is the mainstay therapy for early-stage, localized kidney cancer, notes Dr. Zhao.
“On the other hand, for advanced or metastatic kidney cancer, the treatment approach has evolved dramatically over the past decade. From early 2000s through early 2010s, oral medications, namely tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or TKIs—which block certain pathways in cancer cells and prevent them from growing and dividing—were the mainstay therapy,” he says. “Nowadays, the most effective treatment consists of immunotherapy or combination of immunotherapy and oral TKIs. These new treatment approaches have markedly improved treatment outcome, and in a subset of patients, led to cure.”
Prevalence and mortality rates
The prognosis for kidney cancer largely depends on the stage at which it is diagnosed. Early-stage kidney cancer, where the cancer is confined to the kidney, often has a good prognosis, with a five-year survival rate exceeding 90% for localized cases. However, if the cancer has metastasized to distant parts of the body, the five-year survival rate drops significantly, to around 12%. Advances in treatment, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, are continually improving outcomes, but early detection remains critical for the best prognosis.
Globally, kidney cancer affects nearly 400,000 people annually. In the United States, approximately 79,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, with over 13,000 succumbing to the disease. These numbers underscore the urgent need for heightened awareness and proactive healthcare measures.
Prevention and protection
While some risk factors are beyond personal control, others can be managed. Regulating blood pressure and avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals can reduce risks. Moreover, regular check-ups and discussions about kidney health with healthcare professionals can aid early detection and intervention.
“Currently there is limited knowledge as to who is at high risk of kidney cancer, except in a very small number of patients with rare hereditary mutations,” says Dr. Zhao. “Established risk factors for kidney cancer include cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and obesity. Although the magnitude of risk related to those factors is moderate, I would recommend smoking cessation, optimal control of hypertension and maintaining a healthy weight as general advice to anyone who seeks to minimize risk of developing kidney cancer.”
Mia Hamant’s legacy
During her short life, Mia Hamant’s excellence inspired a generation of young athletes. Her premature death has started conversations and promoted awareness, prompting a reevaluation of how kidney cancer is perceived and addressed. The ripple effect of her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of education, early detection, and support for those affected by this silent killer.
“Currently, numerous therapeutic agents and approaches are under investigation in kidney cancer. For patients with newly diagnosed advanced kidney cancer, I would advise them to strongly consider first line therapy with immunotherapy or immunotherapy/TKI combination as mentioned above, which I believe are the best options. For those who have not responded to immunotherapy and TKIs, treatment options include belzutifan and everolimus. I would consider clinical trials as a reasonable alternative for those patients,” Dr. Zhao advises. “For patients with rare subtypes of kidney cancer like Mia, clinical trials should be strongly considered if available.”
Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)
If you or a loved one have questions about cancer diagnosis, treatment or care, the experts at the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute are here for you. We can accommodate both in-person and virtual visits. To talk to someone or make an appointment, call 1-855-XCANCER.
You can also learn more about available clinical trials. Our physician investigators and researchers are involved in hundreds of ongoing trials involving most types of cancer.
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Swedish Virtual Care connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our provider directory.
Additional resources
Do you know about the signs and symptoms of kidney disease?
Kidney transplant donor chains are lifesaving links to hope
Providence Swedish is transforming cancer care and research
Harnessing the power of the body’s own immune system to treat (and defeat) cancer
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional's instructions.
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