Is Kidney Cancer Hereditary?

In most cases, kidney cancer is not hereditary, meaning it does not run in families. However, about 5% to 10% of kidney cancer cases are linked to inherited genetic conditions or family history. These are considered hereditary kidney cancers and tend to occur at a younger age than usual.

One of the most well-known hereditary conditions is von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease, which increases the risk of developing multiple tumors, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Other inherited syndromes include hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome, and hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC).

People with hereditary kidney cancer often develop tumors in both kidneys (bilateral) or multiple tumors in the same kidney. These patterns are different from typical kidney cancer, which usually involves a single tumor in one kidney.

Having a close relative—such as a parent, sibling, or child—with kidney cancer can also increase your risk, even if no known genetic syndrome is involved. In such cases, the cause may be a combination of shared genes, environmental exposures, and similar lifestyle factors.

If multiple family members have had kidney cancer, especially at a young age, genetic counseling and genetic testing may be recommended. Identifying an inherited condition early can help guide screening and management strategies for both the patient and at-risk family members.

Although most kidney cancers are not hereditary, understanding your family history and discussing it with your doctor can help determine if closer monitoring or early testing is appropriate.

Looking for more questions?

Visit our Kidney Cancer Questions page for all other topics explained in plain language.

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