Relationship between sun exposure and kidney cancer : preliminary experience with the evaluation of recreational UV exposure

INTRODUCTION: Recent findings reported an inverse relationship between solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposure and mortality from various types of cancers, including renal cancer. METHODS: We reviewed the literature concerning the relationship between sun exposure and incidence of kidney cancer. We performed a case-control study, evaluating recreational sun exposure in 50 kidney cancer patients and 50 controls.A questionnaire concerning sun exposure habits during childhood, adult life and in the previous 2 years was filled in by every patient. The questionnaire focused on: hours/day spent in the sun during summer; hours/day spent sunbathing (considering as well which kind of UV protection was used); sunburns; holidays in tropical countries. RESULTS: We found and analyzed few articles concerning the relationship between kidney cancer and sunlight exposure. The two cohorts of patients we evaluated were homogeneous for age, phototype, origin and living area.We found no statistically significant differences between sun exposure in patients affected by kidney cancer and controls, both during childhood and adult life; no differences were found in the use of sunscreens either. CONCLUSIONS: Recreational sunlight exposure does not differ in our cohorts of patients and controls; studies on greater cohorts are needed to evaluate the effect of recreational sun exposure in the development of kidney cancer.