Predictors of mortality from kidney cancer in 332,547 men screened for the multiple risk factor intervention trial

BACKGROUND. The authors examined predictors of mortality from kidney cancer in 332,547 men who were screened as part of the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial. METHODS. The vital status of each member of this cohort was ascertained through 1990. Death certificates were obtained from state health departments and coded by a trained nosologist. Three hundred ninety- eight deaths due to kidney cancer occurred among the cohort of 332,547 men after an average of 16 years of follow-up. The authors used the Cox proportional hazards model to study the joint associations of age, race, income, blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and use of medication for diabetes with risk of death from kidney cancer. RESULTS. The authors observed independent associations with age, cigarette smoking status (relative risk[RR] = 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-2.48), and systolic blood pressure (relative risk [RR] = 1.12 for systolic blood pressure level 10 millimeters of mercury higher; 95% CI, 1.06-1.18). The authors obtained similar results when deaths that occurred during the first 5 years were excluded. CONCLUSIONS. These findings add to the increasing body of evidence that cigarette smoking and blood pressure level are modifiable risk factors for kidney cancer in men.