The causes of kidney cancer aren't known, but there are certain factors that make kidney cancer more likely:being middle aged to old, smoking, environmental factors-eg, exposure to industrial materials such as cadmium, obesity and high blood pressure. Chronic kidney failure needing long-term dialysis(treatment to filter your blood) is a risk factor. Some rare genetic conditions, eg Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and papillary renal carcinoma syndrome can lead to kidney cancer. Most kidney cancers aren't passed through families. However, your risk is higher if a close relative has had it.
Attribution: BUPA