Wilms’ Tumor Cancer from Diagnosis to Treatment
What Is Wilms’ Tumor?
Wilms’ Tumor, also called nephroblastoma, is a rare kidney cancer that mainly affects children, usually between the ages of 2 and 5.
It is the most common type of kidney cancer in children, but it is highly treatable, especially when detected early.
Wilms’ tumor usually affects one kidney, but in about 5-10% of cases, it can affect both kidneys | bilateral.
Wilms’ Tumor, also called nephroblastoma, is a rare kidney cancer that mainly affects children, usually between the ages of 2 and 5.
It is the most common type of kidney cancer in children, but it is highly treatable, especially when detected early.
Wilms’ tumor usually affects one kidney, but in about 5-10% of cases, it can affect both kidneys | bilateral.
Types of Wilms’ Tumor
Favorable Histology
Most common type
Cells look less aggressive
Very high cure rate
Unfavorable Histology | Anaplastic
More abnormal, fast-growing cells
Harder to treat
Requires more intensive therapy
Favorable Histology
Most common type
Cells look less aggressive
Very high cure rate
Unfavorable Histology | Anaplastic
More abnormal, fast-growing cells
Harder to treat
Requires more intensive therapy
1. Signs and Symptoms
• Abdominal swelling or a firm lump
• Abdominal pain
• Blood in urine | hematuria
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• High blood pressure
• Fatigue or weakness
Parents often notice a swelling in the child's belly during bathing or dressing.
• Abdominal swelling or a firm lump
• Abdominal pain
• Blood in urine | hematuria
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• High blood pressure
• Fatigue or weakness
Parents often notice a swelling in the child's belly during bathing or dressing.
2. Causes and Risk Factors
Family history of Wilms’ tumor
Genetic syndromes, including:
WAGR Syndrome
Denys-Drash Syndrome
Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
Birth defects, such as:
One kidney instead of two
Enlarged kidneys
Abnormal development of urinary tract
Wilms’ tumor is not caused by anything the parents did.
Family history of Wilms’ tumor
Genetic syndromes, including:
WAGR Syndrome
Denys-Drash Syndrome
Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
Birth defects, such as:
One kidney instead of two
Enlarged kidneys
Abnormal development of urinary tract
Wilms’ tumor is not caused by anything the parents did.
3. Diagnostic Procedure
Medical History & Physical Exam
Swelling or mass in the abdomen
Blood pressure check
General symptoms assessment
Imaging Tests
Ultrasound:
First test to detect kidney mass
CT Scan / MRI:
Determines tumor size & spread
Chest X-ray/CT:
Checks if cancer spread to lungs | metastasis
Lab Tests
Blood tests:
Kidney function, anemia
Urine tests:
Blood or abnormal proteins
Biopsy or Surgery
In many cases, surgeons remove the tumor/kidney before biopsy because imaging is very accurate for Wilms’ tumor.
Biopsy confirms histology
Determines favorable vs. unfavorable
Medical History & Physical Exam
Swelling or mass in the abdomen
Blood pressure check
General symptoms assessment
Imaging Tests
Ultrasound:
First test to detect kidney mass
CT Scan / MRI:
Determines tumor size & spread
Chest X-ray/CT:
Checks if cancer spread to lungs | metastasis
Lab Tests
Blood tests:
Kidney function, anemia
Urine tests:
Blood or abnormal proteins
Biopsy or Surgery
In many cases, surgeons remove the tumor/kidney before biopsy because imaging is very accurate for Wilms’ tumor.
Biopsy confirms histology
Determines favorable vs. unfavorable
4. Staging
Stage I ➧ Limited to one kidney, fully removable
Stage II ➧ Spread beyond kidney but removable
Stage III ➧ Tumor left behind after surgery
Stage IV ➧ Spread to lungs, liver, bone, or brain
Stage V ➧ Tumors in both kidneys
Stage I ➧ Limited to one kidney, fully removable
Stage II ➧ Spread beyond kidney but removable
Stage III ➧ Tumor left behind after surgery
Stage IV ➧ Spread to lungs, liver, bone, or brain
Stage V ➧ Tumors in both kidneys
5. Treatment Options
➛ Surgery
Nephrectomy:
Removal of one kidney
Partial nephrectomy:
If both kidneys have tumors
Removes tumor and helps determine staging
➛ Chemotherapy
Common regimens:
Vincristine
Actinomycin-D | Dactinomycin
Doxorubicin | for higher stages
May be given:
Before surgery | to shrink tumor
After surgery | to kill remaining cells
➛ Radiation Therapy
Advanced stages | III & IV
Unfavorable histology
Residual disease after surgery
➛ Treatment for Bilateral Wilms’ Tumor
Pre-surgery chemotherapy to shrink tumors
Kidney-sparing surgery
Goal: remove cancer while preserving kidney function
➛ Surgery
Nephrectomy:
Removal of one kidney
Partial nephrectomy:
If both kidneys have tumors
Removes tumor and helps determine staging
➛ Chemotherapy
Common regimens:
Vincristine
Actinomycin-D | Dactinomycin
Doxorubicin | for higher stages
May be given:
Before surgery | to shrink tumor
After surgery | to kill remaining cells
➛ Radiation Therapy
Advanced stages | III & IV
Unfavorable histology
Residual disease after surgery
➛ Treatment for Bilateral Wilms’ Tumor
Pre-surgery chemotherapy to shrink tumors
Kidney-sparing surgery
Goal: remove cancer while preserving kidney function
6. Preferred Nutrition for Patients
Protein-rich foods:
chicken, eggs, yogurt, beans
Fruits & vegetables:
antioxidants aid recovery
Whole grains:
oatmeal, rice, pasta
Healthy fats:
avocado, olive oil, nuts
Hydration:
water, herbal teas, soups
Small, frequent meals
to manage nausea.
Protein-rich foods:
chicken, eggs, yogurt, beans
Fruits & vegetables:
antioxidants aid recovery
Whole grains:
oatmeal, rice, pasta
Healthy fats:
avocado, olive oil, nuts
Hydration:
water, herbal teas, soups
Small, frequent meals
to manage nausea.
7. Follow-Up and Monitoring
Children require long-term follow-up to monitor
➛ Kidney function
➛ Growth & development
➛ Heart health
➛ Tumor recurrence
Follow-up usually continues for years after treatment.
Children require long-term follow-up to monitor
➛ Kidney function
➛ Growth & development
➛ Heart health
➛ Tumor recurrence
Follow-up usually continues for years after treatment.
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