Wilms' tumor

What is Wilms' Tumor

Wilms' tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is the most common type of kidney cancer in children. It affects close to 500 children in the United States each year and around one in 10,000 children worldwide.

What are the Causes of Wilms' Tumor?

The exact cause of Wilms' tumor is not known. It is thought that the tumor develops from an early stage kidney cell that divides and grows abnormally. It is believed that the abnormal growth and development of the kidney cell is caused by a genetic mutation.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom of Wilms' tumor is a large, painless abdominal mass (tumor) that can be felt in the abdomen, side or flank. Other signs and symptoms of Wilms' tumor may include:

• Bloody or dark urine
• Fever
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Anemia
• Pain or swelling around the tumor
• Unexplained weight loss

Diagnosis

Wilms' tumor is usually diagnosed with an imaging test or a biopsy. Imaging tests include an ultrasound, CT scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of the tumor is removed and examined for cancer cells.

Treatment

Wilms' tumor is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgery is usually the first step in treatment and is followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy and radiation are used to shrink the tumor and to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Prognosis

The prognosis of Wilms' tumor depends on the stage and size of the tumor, as well as the age and overall health of the child. Generally, the prognosis for children with Wilms' tumor is good. Treatment is typically successful in eliminating the tumor, and long-term survival rates for children with Wilms' tumor is upwards of 95%.