Learn About Wilms Tumor
Wilms tumor (WT) is a type of kidney cancer that occurs in children.
Nephroblastoma; Kidney tumor - Wilms
WT is the most common form of childhood kidney cancer. The exact cause of this tumor is unknown in most children.
A missing iris of the eye (aniridia) is a birth defect that is sometimes associated with WT. Other birth defects linked to this type of kidney cancer include certain urinary tract problems and enlargement of one side of the body, a condition called hemihypertrophy.
It is more common among some siblings and twins, which suggests a possible genetic cause.
The disease occurs most often in children about 3 years old. More than 90% of cases are diagnosed before 10 years of age. In rare cases, it is seen in children older than 15 years of age, and in adults.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Abnormal urine color
- Constipation
- Fever
- General discomfort or uneasiness (malaise)
- High blood pressure
- Increased growth on only one side of the body
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling in the abdomen (abdominal hernia or mass)
- Sweating (at night)
- Blood in urine (hematuria)
If your child is diagnosed with WT, do not prod or push on the child's belly area. Use care during bathing and handling to avoid injury to the tumor site.
The first step in treatment is to stage the tumor. Staging helps the provider determine how far the cancer has spread and to plan for the best treatment. Surgery to remove the tumor is planned as soon as possible. Surrounding tissues and organs may also need to be removed if the tumor has spread.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy will often be started after surgery, depending on the stage of the tumor.
Chemotherapy given before the surgery is also effective in preventing complications.
Loyola University Medical Center
Joseph Clark is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Maywood, Illinois. Dr. Clark and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wilms Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Melanoma, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Clark is currently accepting new patients.
Loyola University Medical Center
Gopal Gupta is an Urologist in Melrose Park, Illinois. Dr. Gupta and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wilms Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Prostate Cancer, Nephrectomy, and Cystectomy. Dr. Gupta is currently accepting new patients.
University Physicians Incorporated
Nicholas Cost is an Urologist and a Pediatrics provider in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Cost and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wilms Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Wilms Tumor, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Testicular Cancer, Orchiectomy, and Nephrectomy. Dr. Cost is currently accepting new patients.
Children whose tumor has not spread have a 90% cure rate with appropriate treatment. Prognosis is also better in children younger than 2 years of age.
The tumor may become quite large, but usually remains self-enclosed. The spread of the tumor to the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, bone, or brain is the most worrisome complication.
High blood pressure and kidney damage may occur as the result of the tumor or its treatment.
Removal of WT from both kidneys may affect kidney function.
Other possible complications of the long-term treatment of WT may include:
- Heart failure
- Secondary cancer elsewhere in the body that develops after the treatment of first cancer
- Short height
Contact your child's provider if:
- You discover a lump in your child's abdomen, blood in the urine, or other symptoms of WT.
- Your child is being treated for this condition and symptoms get worse or new symptoms develop, mainly cough, chest pain, weight loss, or persistent fevers.
For children with a known high risk for WT, screening using ultrasound of the kidneys or prenatal genetic analysis may be suggested.
Summary: Patients may be considered if the cancer has come back, has not gone away after standard treatment or the patient cannot receive standard treatment. This research study uses special immune system cells called AGAR T cells, a new experimental treatment. The body has different ways of fighting infection and disease. No single way seems perfect for fighting cancers. This research study combines two d...
Summary: NOTE: This is a research study and is not meant to be a substitute for clinical genetic testing. Families may never receive results from the study or may receive results many years from the time they enroll. If you are interested in clinical testing please consider seeing a local genetic counselor or other genetics professional. If you have already had clinical genetic testing and meet eligibility...
Published Date: June 17, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
National Cancer Institute website. Wilms tumor and other childhood kidney tumors treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/kidney/hp/wilms-treatment-pdq. Updated October 15, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024.
Ritchey ML, Cost NG, Shamberger RC. Pediatric urologic oncology: renal and adrenal. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 53.
Weiss RH, Jaimes EA, Hu SL. Kidney cancer. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 41.