Jakarta, en.SERU.co.id – Indonesian singer and songwriter Vidi Aldiano passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the age of 35. Born Oxavia Aldiano on March 29, 1990, he breathed his last after years of courageously battling kidney cancer. Kidney cancer develops when cells in the kidney grow uncontrollably, forming tumors, and it disproportionately affects men more than women.
The Beginning of His Cancer Journey
Vidi publicly shared his kidney cancer diagnosis in December 2019 after a comprehensive health checkup. Doctors identified a lump about 5 cm in size on his left kidney, initially suspected to be a tumor. Subsequent tests confirmed it as cancer (specifically stage 3 clear cell renal cell carcinoma). He underwent surgery in Singapore to remove the tumor along with his left kidney (nephrectomy), meaning he lived with only one kidney thereafter.
Following the operation, Vidi maintained regular health monitoring to check for any remaining or recurring cancer cells, along with various medical therapies to reduce the risk of spread. Despite ongoing treatment, he remained remarkably active in his career, releasing new music, performing at events, and pursuing creative projects.
Cancer Recurrence and Intensified Battle
In 2023, Vidi disclosed that cancer cells had reappeared and spread to other areas of his body, necessitating more aggressive and frequent treatments. His medical routine intensified, and he had to closely manage physical side effects from the therapies.
Entering 2025, he described facing particularly difficult periods in his fight against the disease. He even contemplated stopping chemotherapy due to its severe impact on his body over time. Nevertheless, Vidi chose to frame his experience positively. In a poignant December 2025 Instagram post (@vidialdiano), marking six years since his diagnosis, he wrote: “Thank you, Cancer, for the last 6 years. Today marks exactly 6 years since I met God’s gift in the form of cancer. Many changes since that day. Many priorities changed. Mindset shifted.”
He also noted receiving numerous direct messages since 2019 from people offering to donate a kidney, but he declined, adhering to medical guidelines and feeling sufficiently strong to continue life with one kidney.
The Specific Cancer Vidi Faced
Vidi was diagnosed with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for 70–80% of all cases. It is called “clear cell” because the cancer cells appear clear or transparent under a microscope due to high fat and glycogen content. This type can grow rapidly and form one or more tumors in the kidney.
Symptoms and Risk Factors of Kidney Cancer
In its early stages, kidney cancer often presents no noticeable symptoms. As it progresses, common signs include:
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Excessive fatigue
- Fever
- A lump in the kidney area
- Pain in the side or lower back
- Unexplained weight loss
Known risk factors include:
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Obesity or excess body weight
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis
- Workplace exposure to hazardous chemicals
- Long-term use of certain pain medications
Higher Prevalence in Men
Lukman Hakim, Coordinator of the Scientific Division at the Indonesian Urological Association, noted that kidney cancer cases are indeed more common in men. Data from the Cleveland Clinic confirms higher incidence in men compared to women, particularly between ages 50 and 70.
“One suspected cause relates to lifestyle factors, such as higher smoking rates among men, as well as exposure to carcinogenic chemicals in certain work environments,” Hakim stated, as quoted by detikHealth on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
He emphasized the importance of seeking medical evaluation for persistent back or side pain, which may be an early warning sign. Imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scans can help detect potential kidney tumors. (aan/rhd)
