In a population-based case-control study of kidney cancer in New South Wales, Australia, data from structured interviews with 489 cases of renal cell cancer (RCC) and 147 cases of renal pelvic cancer (CaRP) diagnosed in 1989 and 1990, and 523 controls from the electoral rolls, confirmed the link between obesity and RCC. In addition, regular consumption of
diet
pills independently increased the risk for this cancer. A diagnosis of hypertension at least two years before interview raised the risk for RCC, and regular use of
-blockers, a class of antihypertensive drug, independently increased the risk for RCC and CaRP (risk ratio=1.5–1.8). No independent effect was found for use of diuretics. Additional information provided by this study includes increased risks associated with kidney injury (RCC, CaRP)—possibly attributed to recall bias—and kidney infection (CaRP), as well as a nonsignificantly raised risk linked with kidney stones (RCC, CaRP) and a significantly reduced risk for RCC in persons giving a history of lower urinary tract infection. No significant association of RCC was found with hormonal factors (age at menarche or menopause; child-bearing; regular use of oral contraceptives or estrogens; hysterectomy or oophorectomy).
Key words Australia - -blockers - case-control study - diuretics - hypertension - kidney cancer - obesity - population-based - renal cell cancer - renal pelvic cancer - urologic disease
Dr McCredie is with the NSW Central Cancer Registry and Cancer Epidemiology Research Unit, NSW Cancer Council, Australia. Dr Stewart is with the Department of Renal Medicine, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia. Address correspondence to Dr McCredie, Cancer Epidemiology Research Unit, NSW Cancer Council, PO Box 572, Kings Cross NSW 2011, Australia. The project was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, the Government Employees Assistance to Medical Research Fund, and the Australian Kidney Foundation.