Wilms' tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Also known as nephroblastoma, it's the most common cancer of the kidneys in children. Wilms' tumor most often affects children ages 3 to 4 and becomes much less common after age 5.
Wilms' tumor most often occurs in just one kidney, though it can sometimes be found in both kidneys at the same time.
Over the years, advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of Wilms' tumor have greatly improved the outlook (prognosis) for children with this disease. With appropriate treatment, the outlook for most children with Wilms' tumor is very good.
Mayo Clinic's approach to Wilms' tumor care
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Signs and symptoms of Wilms' tumor vary widely, and some children don't show any obvious signs. But most children with Wilms' tumor experience one or more of these signs and symptoms:
Other signs and symptoms may include:
Make an appointment with your child's doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms that worry you. Wilms' tumor is rare, so it's much more likely that something else is causing symptoms, but it's important to check out any concerns.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
It's not clear what causes Wilms' tumor, but in rare cases, heredity may play a role.
Cancer begins when cells develop errors in their DNA. The errors allow the cells to grow and divide uncontrollably and to go on living when other cells would die. The accumulating cells form a tumor. In Wilms' tumor, this process occurs in the kidney cells.
In rare cases, the errors in DNA that lead to Wilms' tumor are passed from a parent to the child. In most cases, there is no known connection between parents and children that may lead to cancer.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
To diagnose Wilms' tumor, your child's doctor may recommend:
Once your child's doctor diagnoses Wilms' tumor, he or she works to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. The doctor may recommend a chest X-ray or chest CT scan and bone scan to determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the kidneys.
The doctor assigns a stage to the cancer, which helps determine the treatment options. In the United States, guidelines developed through the National Wilms Tumor Study of the Children's Oncology Group include these five stages:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Wilms' tumor can't be prevented by anything you or your child can do.
If your child has risk factors for Wilms' tumor (such as known associated syndromes), the doctor may recommend periodic kidney ultrasounds to look for kidney abnormalities. Although this screening can't prevent Wilms' tumor, it may help detect the disease at an early stage.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Here are some suggestions to help you guide your family through cancer treatment.
When your child has medical appointments or stays in the hospital:
After leaving the hospital:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Factors that may increase the risk of Wilms' tumor include:
Wilms' tumor occurs more frequently in children with certain abnormalities or syndromes present at birth, including:
Wilms' tumor can occur as part of rare syndromes, including:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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