This is the most common histological subtype of sporadic RCC (75‐80%) and is characterized by somatic inactivation of VHL and deletions of the short arm of chromosome 3.8, 9, 15, 52 The mean age at diagnosis of RCC in the cases reported to date (51 years, range 25‐82, n = 57, SD = 13.25) is younger than the average age for sporadic RCC (eg, 61.8 years).41 While this is a feature of other forms of hereditary RCC (and many other inherited cancer types), there may also be an element of ascertainment bias with early onset cases more likely to be investigated for a genetic cause. This evidence concerns the gene VHL and renal cell carcinoma.