[Renal cancer and second cancer: critical review of the literature].

This review was designed to determine whether patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) present an increased risk of developing a second cancer. Cancers statistically associated with RCC were determined by a review of epidemiological publications and the aetiological factors of these associations were then studied. The clinical implications of the results of this review are discussed at the end of this study. This review of the literature demonstrates an increased risk of bladder cancer and prostate cancer in patients with RCC, particularly in the case of the tubulopapillary subtype. The pathophysiology of these associations has not been clearly elucidated, but probably involves common genetic alterations. These epidemiological associations should be taken into account in the follow-up of patients with RCC.