Overweight in middle life is a well -known risk factor for kidney cancer, but new research shows that weight patterns throughout life can also affect a person’s chance of developing this malignancy. Findings are published by Wiley online at CANCERAn evaluated magazine of the American Cancer Society.
To evaluate their weight standards and their correlations with kidney cancer and its different subtypes, the researchers analyzed information on 204,364 people from the NIH-AARP and 50-year-old study. The group noted that there were 1,425 cases of kidney cancer or renal cell carcinoma (RCC), among the study participants, with 583 having aggressive RCC and 339 having a fatal RCC. Researchers also recorded the different subtypes of RCC, including Cell Cell RCC (541 patients), papillary RCC (146 patients) and Chromophobic RCC (64 patients).
The highest BMI in any of the ages evaluated was linked to higher risks of total RCC and all subtypes (except the RCC), with a higher risk of 10-40% for each 5 increase in BMI. Similar increased risks were associated with weight gain during adulthood resulted in overweight or obesity, compared to maintaining the normal BMI.
Also, the long -term excess weight was associated with higher risks of total RCC, aggressive RCC, fatal RCC and RCC’s clear, but not papillary RCC and Chromophobe RCC. The weight loss in which BMI was reduced by at least 10%, especially later in life, was associated with a lower RCC risk. Specifically, weight loss from the age of 18-35 and after the age of 50 was associated with 21% reductions and 28% on an impact of RCC, respectively.
These findings emphasize that maintaining a healthy weight during one’s life is important to reduce the risk of RCC. Most importantly, weight loss, even later in life, can provide protective benefits. We need to support initiatives that promote weight maintenance strategies and weight loss. Some of them include lifestyle interventions, weight loss programs and emerging medical treatments for obesity. However, individuals should consult healthcare providers before starting any plan. ”
Zhengyi Deng, Phd, chief writer of the Stanford University Medical School
Source:
Magazine report:
Deng, Z., et al. (2025) Physical weight patterns, weight loss and renal cell carcinoma. Cancer. doi.org/10.1002/cncr.35763.