Wilms TumorSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
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.
Heber Valley Specialty Clinic - Urology
Richard Vanlangendonck, MD is a urologist at Intermountain Health’s Heber Valley Specialty Clinic in Hever City, Utah, and Jerry & Kathleen Grundhofer Clinic – Urology in Park City, Utah. He supports patients in Park City, Snyderville, Kamas, Francis, Woodland, Heber City, and surrounding communities, treating prostate cancer, kidney cancer, adrenal cancer, bladder cancer, and more. His clinical interests focus on robotic surgery for the treatment of prostate and kidney cancer. He is passionate about this technology's advanced capabilities, allowing for precise and minimally invasive procedures that significantly benefit his patients. Dr. Vanlangendonck is deeply committed to providing his patients with the highest standard of care. Guided by his philosophy of being the best doctor and person he can be, he treats each individual with compassion and respect. Committed to excellence, the Louisiana native continually strives to perfect his craft. He takes great pride in delivering outstanding patient care and ensuring that each patient is satisfied.Potential patients should know that Dr. Vanlangendonck excels in his field and is passionate about his expertise. He brings this expertise to his practice every day, providing his patients with the highest level of care and support throughout their wellness journey.Conditions Treated: Prostate CancerKidney CancerAdrenal CancerBladder CancerKidney and Ureteral StonesBenign Prostatic Hyperplasia Elevated PSAVoiding Dysfunction Erectile DysfunctionProcedures Performed: Robotic Urologic Surgery for Urologic Cancers Robotic Urologic Surgery for Urinary Obstruction Ureteroscopy Transurethral Surgery for Bening and Malignant DiseaseCystoscopyTransrectal and Transperineal Ultrasound with Prostate BiopsyVasectomy. Dr. Vanlangendonck is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wilms Tumor. He is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), WT1-Related Wilms Tumor Syndromes, Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, Reconstructive Urology Surgery, and Nephrectomy. Dr. Vanlangendonck is board certified in American Board Of Urology. Dr. Vanlangendonck is currently accepting new patients.
UT Southwestern - Urology
Vitaly Margulis is a Urologist practicing medicine in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Margulis is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wilms Tumor. He is also highly rated in 43 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC), Urothelial Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Nephrectomy, and Orchiectomy.
Ballad Health Medical Associates Urology
. Dr. Coursey is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wilms Tumor. He is also highly rated in 32 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Congenital Mesoblastic Nephroma, Familial Wilms Tumor 2, Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, Nephrectomy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery. Dr. Coursey is board certified in American Board Of Urology.
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: Investigators are testing new experimental drug combinations such as the combination of vorinostat, vincristine, irinotecan, and temozolomide in the hopes of finding a drug that may be effective against tumors that have come back or that have not responded to standard therapy. The goals of this study are: * To find the highest safe dose of vorinostat that can be given together with vincristine, ir...
Summary: This is a pilot study to assess acute toxicity in patients receiving flank irradiation using proton therapy for renal tumors.
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.