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 3.5 years old. More than 80% of cases are diagnosed before 5 years of age. In rare cases, it is seen in older children 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), Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, WT1-Related Wilms Tumor Syndromes, Reconstructive Urology Surgery, and Nephrectomy. Dr. Vanlangendonck is board certified in American Board Of Urology. Dr. Vanlangendonck is currently accepting new patients.
Swedish Urology - First Hill
Dr. Porter provides state-of-the-art, minimally invasive treatment options to patients with urologic cancer and stone disease to reduce the pain and recovery from surgical treatment. He stays current on the latest available treatments by teaching at national and international urologic meetings as well as publishing his outcomes. Dr. Porter was the 2023 recipient of the Menon Award in Robotic Urologic Surgery. Dr. Porter is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wilms Tumor. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Clear Cell Sarcoma, Familial Wilms Tumor 2, WT1-Related Wilms Tumor Syndromes, Vasectomy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery. Dr. Porter is board certified in American Board Of Urology. Dr. Porter 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.
Children whose tumor has not spread have a 90% cure rate with appropriate treatment. The 5-year survival rate for children with Wilms tumor with favorable attributes such as being slow-growing is also more than 90%. The 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 the 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: 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...
Summary: This is a phase I dose-escalation study to determine the safety and feasibility of autologous CAR-TA T cells (B7-H3 CAR+ T cells administered with DNR-PRAME Tumor Antigen-specific T cells) following lymphodepleting chemotherapy in participants with relapsed/refractory rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, neuroblastoma and Wilms tumor. Patients will be enrolled to one of three planned dose levels with ...
Published Date: May 01, 2026
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, 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.
Cost NG, Romao R, Roach JP. Pediatric urologic oncology: renal and adrenal. In: Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 63.
Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al. Neoplasms of the kidney. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 548.
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 April 15, 2025. Accessed May 26, 2026.