Is End-Stage Renal Disease Tumor Suppressive? Dispelling the Myths

Abstract

The prevalence of end-stage renal disease is increasing worldwide. Malignancies accompanying end-stage renal disease are detected in approximately 120 individuals per 10,000 person-years. Most studies have suggested that end-stage renal disease causes carcinogenesis and promotes tumor development; however, this theory remains questionable. Contrary to the theory that end-stage renal disease is predominantly carcinogenic, recent findings have suggested that after controlling for biases and sampling errors, the overall cancer risk in patients with end-stage renal disease might be lower than that in the general population, except for renal and urothelial cancer risks. Additionally, mortality rates associated with most cancers are lower in patients with end-stage renal disease than in the general population. Several biological mechanisms have been proposed to explain the anticancer effects of end-stage renal disease, including premature aging and senescence, enhanced cancer immunity, uremic tumoricidal effects, hormonal and metabolic changes, and dialysis therapy-related factors. Despite common beliefs that end-stage renal disease exacerbates cancer risk, emerging evidence suggests potential tumor-suppressive effects. This review highlights the potential anticancer effects of end-stage renal disease, proposing reconsideration of the hypothesis that end-stage renal disease promotes cancer development and progression.