Researchers at the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville have found that when a gene that makes sFRP-1 is suppressed, the defining event in the development and progression of clear cell renal carcinoma occurs. Clear cell renal carcinoma accounts for at least 80 percent of all kidney cancers. Kidney cancer incidence has been increasing by about 2 percent per year for the past six decades. Researchers believe some of this increase may be related to smoking and other environmental factors. Kidney cancer tumors that are found when they are advanced are difficult to treat with a two-year survival of only 12 percent. Kidney cancer where the tumor has not spread has a five-year survival of up to 75 percent.
