Dr. Msaouel on Reducing Risk Factors for Renal Medullary Carcinoma With Exercise

Pavlos Msaouel, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses how exercise can influence risk for patients with sickle cell trait to develop renal medullary carcinoma (RMC).

High-intensity exercise may increase risk for a patient to develop RMC if they have the sickle cell trait, due to the damage that may occur in their kidneys, according to Msaouel. However, evidence has shown that moderate-intensity exercise can also be beneficial and lower the risk of developing this malignancy, Msaouel explains.

Moderate exercise correlates with low risk, no exercise is associated with moderate risk, and high-intensity exercise is associated with a high risk for developing RMC, Msaouel says. As such, it is important for patients to adjust their exercise routine accordingly to receive the health benefits of physical activity and reduce risk of RMC, Msaouel concludes.