Effect of tobacco avoidance on the incidence of non-hereditary renal cell carcinoma in patients over 18 years of age: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Risk factors for kidney cancer are divided into modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Among the former, smoking stands out, whose relationship with the disease has been extensively studied, from the intensity of consumption to the effects of cessation. However, the impact of avoiding smoking is not precisely known. This study aimed to estimate the effect of avoiding tobacco use on the risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients over 18 years of age with no family history. METHODS: A systematic review of clinical trials and observational studies was conducted in the Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, and LILACS databases. Patients aged 18 years or older with a confirmed histological diagnosis of RCC were included. The primary outcome was RCC development. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa tool, and a meta-analysis of the included studies was performed. RESULTS: = 61%) and did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking avoidance is associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of RCC, especially in men. Further studies with uniform definitions of avoidance are needed to assess its long-term effect.