Overview

Incidence

Kidney cancer is the 14th most common cancer and there were approximately 200,000 new kidney cancer cases worldwide in 2002.1,2 RCC is a global problem, but its incidence varies considerably by geographical location (Figure 1.1).2 Rates of RCC are high in North America, Europe and Australia, whereas rates are low in Africa, India and China. Until recently, the worldwide incidence of RCC has increased by approximately 2% every year.

Worldwide incidence of kidney cancer

Figure 1.1 Worldwide incidence of kidney cancer. Age-standardized (world) incidence rate (per 100,000) in (A) males and (B) females from the GLOBOCAN database 2002.2

It is estimated that there will be 54,390 new cases of kidney cancer and 13,010 kidney cancer-related deaths in the US in 2008 alone.3 Global incidence data on mRCC are lacking, but can be estimated from figures for overall RCC rates.4

RCC Incidence in Europe

In 2006, there were estimated to be 63,300 new cases of kidney cancer (tenth most common cancer in the European Union [EU]5) and 26,400 kidney cancer-related deaths in the EU.5 Kidney cancer incidence in specific European countries is shown in Figure 1.2. The Czech Republic, Estonia and Iceland have the highest RCC rates in Europe.1,2 Although the worldwide incidence of RCC is thought to be increasing,6 data from a recent European study, which analysed kidney cancer incidence in 1980– 2004, indicate a shift towards stabilization or a decrease in incidence in recent years in both sexes.7,8 Recently, kidney cancer incidence rates also have decreased or stabilized in some countries in Northern Europe, except for England, Scotland and Ireland, whereas incidence in Eastern Europe has generally increased (except for women in the early 2000s).8 The highest sustained  decreases in incidence rates were seen in Sweden; declines were observed in both sexes throughout the 25-year study period.8

This information has been provided with the kind permission of Börje Ljungberg

References:
1. International Agency for Research on Cancer. GLOBOCAN database 2002. Available at: http:/anti-infectives/Paris-Event/Live-Webcast.cfmwww-dep.iarc.fr/ [accessed September 2010].
2. Ferlay J, Bray F, Pisani P, Parkin DM. Globocan 2002: Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide IARC CancerBase No. 5. version 2.0, IARCpress, Lyon. 2004.
3. American Cancer Society. Estimated New Cancer Cases and Deaths by Sex, US, 2008.
4. Gupta K, Miller JD, Li JZ et al. Epidemiologic and socioeconomic burden of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): a literature review. Cancer Treat Rev 2008;34:193–205. http:/anti-infectives/Paris-Event/Live-Webcast.cfmwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18313224
5. Ferlay J, Autier P, Boniol M et al. Estimates of the cancer incidence and mortality in Europe in 2006. Ann Oncol 2007; 18:581-592.
6. Matthew A, Devesa SS, Fraumeni JF, Jr.., Chow WH. Global Increases in kidney cancer incidence, 1973-1992. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2002;11:171-178.
7. Levi F, Lucchini F, Negri E, La Vecchia C. Declining mortality from kidney cancer in Europe. Ann Oncol 2—4;15:1130-1135.
8. Levi F, Ferlay J, Galeone C et al. The changing pattern of kidney cancer incidence and mortality in Europe. BJU Int. 2008;101:949-958.