Incidence of kidney cancer have risen over 2 decades although survival rates have improved, according to a new report.
Public Health England's National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) found between 1990 to 2010, people diagnosed with the main type of kidney cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma, have seen an overall improvement in survival.
Professor Julia Verne, strategic lead at Public Health England's NCIN, said: "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."
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.
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."
Professor Jane Maher, joint chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support added:"It is great news that more people than ever are surviving kidney cancer. But it is important to remember that many cancer survivors continue to suffer consequences of their disease and its treatment such as chronic fatigue, depression and pain.
"Cancer survivors must be properly supported once their treatment stops to help their recovery and minimise the impact of their illness on their overall health. Macmillan wants every survivor to receive a cancer ‘recovery package' - comprising of an aftercare plan, a summary of their treatment and access to Health and Wellbeing Clinics - as a standard part of aftercare."
