Inside Brad Arnold’s Kidney Cancer Diagnosis

Brad Arnold, lead singer of American rock band 3 Doors Down, previously revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer. The 47-year-old musician announced his cancer diagnosis on Instagram on May 7 2025, revealing how the cancer has metastasized into his lung.

Unfortunately, Arnold passed on February 7, 2026, at age 47.

Arnold was diagnosed with stage 4 clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer. The cancer typically affects adults rather than children.

The kidneys are a pair of fist-sized, bean-shaped organs sitting just below the rib cage in the middle of the back. They have many important functions, especially in removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood. Most people can live a completely normal and healthy life with only one kidney. However, Arnold has not mentioned if the cancer affected one or both of his kidneys.

Arnold shared that he only discovered his cancer in the later stages. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma, cancerous cells grow in the small tubes of the kidney that filter blood. As the cells multiply rapidly, they start forming one or more tumors, disrupting normal kidney function. There are often no noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms at later stages include blood in the urine, persistent pain, weight loss, fever, a lump in the back, and fatigue.

While clear cell renal cell carcinoma may run in families, its development is oftentimes random. The cancer type has been closely associated with a mutation in the von Hippel–Lindaugene gene (VHL). When VHL is inactivated, the VHL protein that prevents cells from growing and dividing uncontrollably cannot be produced or is defective, leading to cells becoming cancerous.

Common lifestyle risk factors for clear cell renal cell carcinoma include smoking, obesity, and hypertension.

Arnold reportedly disclosed in 2021 how he had quit smoking cigarettes after over 25 years of smoking.

Today, clear cell renal cell carcinoma can be treated by removing the affected kidney or part of the kidney surrounding the cancer, destroying cancerous cells by helping the immune system recognize them, preventing cancerous cells from multiplying using drugs, or destroying cancerous cells by radiation, heat, or liquid nitrogen.

As for Arnold’s case, metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma can be harder to treat.

The 5-year survival rate for metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma is 10%. This means that only 10% of people diagnosed are still alive 5 years after receiving their diagnosis.

Although he faced a tough battle, Arnold stayed incredibly positive. He shared a heartfelt update on Instagram this past Christmas, “I can’t tell ya how thankful I am to be here!” Arnold’s faith, courage, and hopeful outlook are an encouragement to all. As he would sing:

“But it's not my time, I'm not going

There's a will in me and now I know that

This could be the end of me

And everything I know

Ooh, but I won't go”