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Renal cancer (kidney cancer) is rarely hereditary – inherited factors account for only about 5–8% of cases (Hereditary Kidney Cancer Syndromes - NCI). Most kidney tumors occur sporadically, so having a family member with renal cancer doesn’t mean your children will get it. Yet a small subset of kidney cancers do run in families, caused by specific inherited gene mutations.

Hereditary vs. Sporadic Kidney Cancer

A person with hereditary kidney cancer is born with a gene mutation that predisposes them to kidney tumors. One example is von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, an inherited condition that sharply raises kidney cancer risk. These syndromes are often autosomal dominant – if one parent carries the mutation, each child has a 50% chance to inherit it (How can Orchid tell me about an embryo’s future risk for cancer?). In contrast, sporadic kidney cancers usually arise from random mutations or environmental factors.

Genetic Testing and Inherited Risk

Genetic testing is a powerful tool to clarify risk, especially if kidney cancer runs in your family. It can reveal if you carry a gene mutation that you could pass to your children. For prospective parents, it’s important to know that if you carry a hereditary cancer gene, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting it; this risk leads many couples to opt for in vitro fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic testing to ensure their baby doesn’t inherit the mutation (How can Orchid tell me about an embryo’s future risk for cancer?). Discussing these concerns with clinicians and genetic counselors can often identify families at risk and allow further testing.