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.
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Joseph Clark is an Oncologist practicing medicine in Maywood, Illinois. Dr. Clark is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wilms Tumor. He is also highly rated in 34 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses 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 a Urologist practicing medicine in Maywood, Illinois. Dr. Gupta is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wilms Tumor. He is also highly rated in 22 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Prostate Cancer, Nephrectomy, and Cystectomy. Dr. Gupta is currently accepting new patients.
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center - Nebraska Medical Center
Chad Lagrange is a Urologist practicing medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Lagrange is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wilms Tumor. He is also highly rated in 36 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Prostate Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, Reconstructive Urology Surgery, and Nephrectomy. Dr. Lagrange is currently accepting new patients.
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: This phase I/II trial studies the effects of trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a) in treating patients with osteosarcoma, Wilms tumor (WT) or desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) that is newly diagnosed or has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent) or that has not responded to previous treatment (refractory). Trastuzumab deruxtecan is in a class of medications called antibody-drug...
Summary: This phase II trial studies how well combination chemotherapy works in treating patients with newly diagnosed stage II-IV diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumors (DAWT) or favorable histology Wilms tumors (FHWT) that have come back (relapsed). Drugs used in chemotherapy regimens such as UH-3 (vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, carboplatin, etoposide, and irinotecan) and ICE/Cyclo/Topo (ifosfamide...
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.