Alexx Ekubo: Things to know about metastatic kidney cancer

The family of Nollywood star Alexx Ekubo has confirmed advanced metastatic kidney cancer as the cause of the actor’s death.

Ekubo passed away on Monday at the age of 40, throwing the entertainment industry and Nigeria into a state of shock and drawing tributes from colleagues and fans.

In a statement issued via his Instagram page on Wednesday, Ekubo’s family said the actor died at Evercare Hospital in Lagos following complications arising from advanced metastatic kidney cancer.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Husband, Son, Brother, and Friend, Alexx Ikenna Ekubo-Okwaraeke.

“After a brief but courageous battle, Alexx passed away at Evercare Hospital due to complications arising from advanced metastatic kidney cancer.

“Throughout this difficult journey, he bore his pain with remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and enduring hope, believing that one day his testimony would be shared with the world,” the family said.

Also known as stage 4 kidney cancer or stage 4 renal cell carcinoma (RCC), metastatic kidney cancer is the most advanced form of kidney cancer in adults.

Here are 10 important things to know about this condition:

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, kidney cancer is the 14th most common cancer worldwide. It is the 10th most common cancer in men and the 13th most common cancer in women.

The fund stated that there were 434,840 new cases of kidney cancer and 155,953 deaths in 2022.

According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk of developing kidney cancer in men is about 1 in 45, while for women, it is about 1 in 75, although each person’s risk can be affected by factors like smoking, age, or family history.

Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the kidneys. It happens when cells in one or both kidneys grow out of control and form a tumour.

It can spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body.

When kidney cancer reaches stage 4, it has spread (metastasised) beyond the kidney to distant sites such as the lungs (most common), bones, liver, brain, or other organs.

This makes it far more difficult to treat than early-stage (I to III) disease confined to the kidney.

Early kidney cancer frequently produces no noticeable symptoms. By the time it becomes metastatic, common signs can include blood in the urine (haematuria), persistent back or side pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, anaemia, or a lump in the abdomen or side.

Major risk factors include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, long-term use of certain pain medications, family history, and certain genetic conditions.

It occurs more frequently in men and typically around age 60–65, though it can affect younger adults.

According to studies, roughly one-third of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cases already have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis.

This contributes to its challenging prognosis compared to many other cancers.

The five-year relative survival rate for distant (metastatic) kidney cancer is approximately 15–19%, according to recent SEER data from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute.

Median survival has historically been 6–12 months without modern therapies, though outcomes vary widely depending on treatment response and disease spread.

Options for metastatic disease include targeted therapies (such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors), immunotherapy (often a first-line treatment), surgery to remove the primary tumour or isolated metastases in select cases, radiation, and palliative care for symptom management. Combination therapies have improved outcomes in recent years.

When detected early and confined to the kidney, the five-year survival rate exceeds 90%, underscoring the importance of prompt medical attention for symptoms such as blood in urine or persistent back pain.

Some patients experience rapid decline, while others respond well to treatment and live for years. Prognosis depends on factors such as the number of metastatic sites, overall health status, and tumour biology.

Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, controlling blood pressure, and seeking medical attention for warning signs can reduce risk.