Dolly Parton’s Kidney Stone Battle Highlighted After Her Passing

The recent passing of country music icon Dolly Parton has reignited discussion around a health issue she had publicly battled for many years: kidney stones.

On August 25, Parton’s team confirmed that the 80-year-old humanitarian had died following a brief struggle with cancer. Although details on the type of cancer were not shared, Parton had previously spoken about her ongoing health challenges related to kidney stones, especially when she had to cancel her Las Vegas residency in May 2026.

Her team has not suggested that her history of kidney stones had any connection to her cancer or her passing.

Dr. Charles Scales, a urologist at Duke Health who focuses on treating and preventing kidney stones, explained that while the condition is notorious for causing severe pain, it can pose serious risks in certain situations.

“It’s crucial for individuals to understand that if you’re experiencing pain possibly linked to a kidney stone and also have a fever, that could signal a severe infection, meaning a trip to the emergency room is necessary,” Scales cautioned.

A major risk arises when a kidney stone obstructs the passage of urine during an infection.

“In cases where people have urinary infections and a kidney stone is blocking the kidney, this scenario can lead to a serious condition known as sepsis,” Scales noted.

Sepsis, which can escalate quickly and become deadly, occurs when the body starts to damage its own organs in response to an infection. This condition gained wider visibility after the shocking death of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch in May 2026.

Scales mentioned that some studies indicate a link between kidney stones and kidney cancer, but emphasized that it’s unclear whether having kidney stones directly raises the risk of developing kidney cancer.

The likelihood of developing kidney cancer over a lifetime in the U.S. hovers around 1.7% to 1.8%, Scales added. Research indicates that this risk might double among individuals with a history of kidney stones.

While doubling that risk may sound concerning, Scales pointed out that the overall risk is still relatively low. He also highlighted that kidney stones and kidney cancer share some common risk factors, suggesting that it’s possible for the two to appear together without one causing the other.

Scales remarked, “It’s possible that these two conditions just happen to coincide without being directly related. We lack definitive answers, but we definitely see some connection.”

Not every kidney stone necessitates medical intervention. Scales mentioned that smaller stones, less than five millimeters in size, pass on their own about 80% of the time.

Some people may have a higher likelihood of forming kidney stones than others. Scales previously discussed research about the recurrence of these stones and how even those who know they should drink more fluids often struggle to do so adequately.

“Statistically, if you’ve had one kidney stone, about half of those individuals will develop another within five years,” he said. “The recurrence rate for kidney stones is notably high.”

Certain individuals might have a genetic tendency to develop kidney stones, while others may be influenced by metabolic conditions. Those with diabetes, gout, or obesity tend to be at greater risk compared to those without such issues, according to Scales.

To mitigate the chances of kidney stone recurrence, Scales advises maintaining high fluid intake, limiting salt consumption, and moderating calcium and protein intake.

For those dealing with multiple kidney stones, consulting a specialist like a nephrologist or urologist can be beneficial to identify specific risk factors and create a tailored prevention strategy.