Latest report from PHE’s National Cancer Intelligence Network.

Incidence of kidney cancer, the eighth most common cancer in England, have risen over 2 decades although survival rates have improved, a new report by Public Health England’s National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) reveals today (16 April 2014).

The report examines trends in survival of kidney cancer in England over 20 years (1990 to 2010) and found that people diagnosed with the main type of kidney cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma, have seen an overall improvement in survival. However, for around 10% of patients diagnosed with rarer types of kidney cancer such as Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC), there has been no significant change. This could be because TCC is less likely to be detected early via medical imaging, but also because of less advances in developing successful treatments.

Professor Julia Verne, Strategic Lead at Public Health England’s NCIN, said:

“This report shows that both 1 and 5-year relative survival rates from kidney cancer have improved and steadily increased since 1990, with no significant difference noted between genders. During this period, 1-year survival improved from 58% to 72% in males and 54% to 71% in females, an increase of 14% and 17% respectively. At 5-years, the survival rate improved from 39% to 55% in males and from 37% to 55% in females.

“This knowledge will help us continue to build on this great work with NHS England and our local partners to find ways to further these positive outcomes through earlier diagnosis and treatment services.”

Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, said:

“It’s extremely promising to see these improvements in survival, but we want to do better. Our Be Clear on Cancer campaign, focussed on kidney and bladder cancer, launched nationally last year to raise awareness of the symptoms, which is crucial to early detection, treatment and will impact on survival.

“Receiving an early diagnosis increases the chance of survival for the 16,600 people who are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer every year in England. Our Be Clear on Cancer message is clear – as soon as you spot blood in your pee, visit the GP. It’s probably nothing serious but it could also be a sign of something else that needs treatment, so don’t ignore the symptoms or put off a trip to the doctor.”

Sean Duffy, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England said:

“This is very encouraging news and reflects continued improvements in speed of diagnosis and treatment of patients with kidney cancer. More accurate medical imaging means cancers are being picked up earlier than ever before and alongside improved treatment, this is meaning better outcomes for patients. We aren’t complacent though and we need to continue to work hard to reduce regional variations in treatment quality and improve outcomes for patients with rarer types of kidney cancer.”