Newly diagnosed
More than 13,300 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer in the UK each year. The incidence is increasing annually, mostly due to lifestyle factors, such as smoking and obesity, but in part due to better scanning facilities being able to pick up small tumours. Kidney cancer is now the seventh most common cancer in British adults; however, it is still considered to be a less common cancer, although around 4,700 people die from the disease every year. Kidney cancer accounts for 4% of all new cancer cases in the UK. About a third of all kidney cancers are diagnosed in people aged over 75 and the highest rates are seen in people aged 85-89 (see Cancer Research UK: Kidney cancer statistics for more information).
This section attempts to answer some of the more common questions asked about kidney cancer. If you have any further questions about the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with kidney cancer, please do not hesitate to email us, ring our helpline, or post on our patient support forum.
Disclaimer: Our website provides general information only, and none of the information contained within our site shall be deemed to constitute medical advice in any way. You should seek appropriate medical advice or guidance from your doctor or health care team in relation to any medical condition.
Updated: October 2023 Next review: October 2025
