Most people with sickle cell trait don't get kidney cancer. But, there is a very rare type of kidney cancer called renal medullary carcinoma which sometimes affects people with sickle cell trait.
Although sickle cell trait, and sickle cell disease, are common conditions only 100 or so cases of renal medullary carcinoma have ever been recorded worldwide. So it's very rare, and the chances of someone with sickle cell trait getting this cancer are extremely small.
The cancer seems to affect young people with sickle cell trait, between the ages of 11 and 39. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 26. The commonest symptom is passing blood in the urine. There may also be pain in the groin area, and weight loss. The symptoms are often present for some months before the diagnosis is made. All the cases so far described have occurred in people of black African or Caribbean descent. Men seem to be affected more often than women. Nearly all the cases so far reported have occurred in people with sickle cell trait, but it has also been found in a very few people with sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease, can affect the kidneys in a number of different ways and these other conditions, which may also lead to blood in the urine, are much commoner than renal medullary carcinoma.
If you have sickle cell trait and pass blood in your urine it's important to see your doctor at once for a check up. It is unlikely that the cause will be cancer, but it is important to have it checked out without any delay.
References
- Patel K et al. Renal medullary carcinoma, a rare cause of haematuria in sickle cell trait. British Journal of Haematology, 2006; 132: 1
- Davis CJ et al. American Journal of Surgical Pathology, 1995; 19: 1-11
- Simpson L et al. Renal medullary carcinoma and ABL gene amplification. Journal of Urology, 2005; 173: 1883-1888