Moderate CKD increased risk for cancer among older men

Older men with moderate chronic kidney disease had a 39% increased risk for developing cancer compared with men with normal kidney function, according to study findings.

“Cancer risk is increased not only in the dialysis and transplant population, but it is also increased in men with mild to moderately reduced kidney function,” Germaine Wong, MD, of the Children’s Hospital in Westmead, Australia, told Endocrine Today. “Screening and early disease prevention is important in this population.”

Wong and colleagues conducted the study to determine whether moderate CKD (stage 3) increased the risk for cancer among 3,049 men and women aged 49 to 79 years. All were participants in the Blue Mountains Eye Study and New South Wales Cancer Registry.

During 10 years of follow-up, 19.5% of cancers were reported.

An increased risk for cancer was reported in men with at least stage three CKD, but the risk was not increased in women (P=0.004). With regards to type of cancer, the risk for lung and urinary tract cancers was increased among men with CKD, but not for prostate cancer.

Risk for cancer increased as kidney function declined, and men with significant CKD had a threefold increased risk above normal.

“Our observed link between cancer and chronic kidney disease was limited to men only and we did not show any relationship between cancer and CKD in women,” the researchers wrote. “Our findings are consistent with emerging literature showing that kidney disease is an independent risk factor for diseases in other organ systems and that this increased risk is not limited to severe kidney disease or early-stage kidney disease, but begins with early or mild to moderate kidney disease.”

Additional research is needed to uncover the underlying mechanisms involved in the cancer–kidney disease link and to explain why a link was not found in women, according to the researchers. – by Jennifer Southall

Wong G. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009;doi:10.1681/ASN.2008090998.