Wilms' Tumor
What is it?
Wilms' tumor is a childhood cancer of the kidneys. The condition can be present in the fetus, but symptoms may not appear until the child is three years old. Wilms' tumor is also called a
nephroblastoma. "Nephros" is the Greek word for kidney, and
"blastoma" is a tumor made up of abnormal and immature
cells.
Who gets it?
Wilms' tumor usually occurs in children under the age of five, with girls just slightly more likely than boys to develop the condition. Children with other birth defects such as those of the genitals or urinary system; syndromes including WAGR, Denys-Drash, and Beckwith-Wiedemann; aniridia, which is the absence of the irises of the eye; and hemihypertrophy, which is excessive growth on one side of the body, are at a higher risk for developing Wilms'
tumor.
What causes it?
The cause of Wilms' tumor is not known. However, the fact that some patients with Wilms' tumor have other genetic defects suggests that a genetic abnormality may be involved in some cases. Wilms' tumor can also run in families. Wilms' tumor occurs when cells in the kidneys fail to mature during the fetus' development. These cells then multiply after birth and form the mass of cancerous, or malignant, cells that make up a Wilms'
tumor.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of Wilms' tumor include an enlarged abdomen, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and poor appetite. The tumor can also cause high blood pressure or blood in the urine. If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it also causes shortness of breath and
coughing.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor may be able to feel a mass in your child's abdomen. If your doctor suspects Wilms' tumor, he or she will order an ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, all techniques that produce an image of any abnormal growth. Wilms' tumor can also be diagnosed with a procedure called intravenous pyelography, in which a special dye is injected into a vein. The dye shows up on an x-ray of the kidney structures. Your doctor will want to remove a small tissue sample, called a biopsy, to make a definite diagnosis. The biopsy may be done during surgery to remove or reduce the tumor. Your doctor may order other tests if he or she suspects the cancer has
spread.
What is the treatment?
Childhood cancers are very treatable and usually have a high cure rate. Treatment of Wilms' tumor usually involves surgery to remove or reduce the size of the tumor. During the surgery, your doctor will check both kidneys and the area around the kidneys for tumors or signs that the cancer has spread. If the cancer has spread, the surgeon will take more biopsies of any other affected tissues. Wilms' tumor occurs in both kidneys in only a very small percentage of cases. If only one kidney is affected, surgery usually involves removing the affected kidney. People can live a long, healthy life with only one kidney. Once the tumor is removed, doctors will study the tissue samples under a microscope to determine the cells' characteristics. After the surgery, your child may also be treated with anticancer drugs and radiation therapy, depending upon the types of abnormal cells found and whether the cancer has spread. Over 90% of children treated for Wilms' tumor are alive and healthy two years after
treatment.
Self-care tips
Researchers have found no way to prevent Wilms' tumor. If your child has any of the birth defects that increase his or her risk for Wilms' tumor, it is important to have frequent check ups for signs of this condition.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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