Overview
Prevalence
It has been suggested that the worldwide increase in incidence can be explained by the increased proportion of RCCs, often smaller in size, detected by the increased use of enhanced imaging techniques. This increased incidence indicates that the prevalence of RCC is relatively high. A proportion of the previously undetected RCCs seem to be indolent and remain undetected during the individual’s lifetime. In a study among 16,294 autopsies, representing 63% of deaths in Malmo, Sweden in 1958– 1969, there were 350 RCCs (2.1%) detected, of which 235 had been clinically undiagnosed.1
These data were confirmed in recent autopsy studies.2,3 In a study of 3,512 autopsies, a similar proportion of RCCs was detected (40 cases, 1.1%).2 Furthermore, autopsies performed during 1955–1960 (3,307) and 1991–2001 (2,938), had an RCC rate of 0.7% and 0.8 %, respectively.3 However, unsuspected RCC detected only at autopsy did not decrease (0.4% and 0.5%, respectively)3 despite a higher incidence rate in the later time period.
Figure 1.2 Incidence of kidney cancer in Europe. Age-standardized (world) incidence rate (per 100,000) for males and females in European countries from the GLOBOCAN database 2002.
This information has been provided with the kind permission of Börje Ljungberg
References:
1. Hellsten S, Berge T, Wehlin L. Unrecognized renal cell carcinoma. Clinical and diagnostic aspects. Scand J Urol Nephrol 1981;15:269–272.
2. Kozlowska J, Okon K. Renal tumors in postmortem material. Pol J Pathol 2008;59: 21–25.
3. Mindrup SR, Pierre JS, Dahmoush L, Konety BR. The prevalence of renal cell carcinoma diagnosed at autopsy. BJU Int 2005;95:31–33.