Wilms tumor

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Kidney anatomy

Wilms tumor

Nephroblastoma; Kidney tumor

• Abdominal pain
• Swelling in the abdomen (abdominal hernia or mass)
• Blood in the urine (occurs in less than 1/4 of children)
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• General discomfort or uneasiness (malaise)
• High blood pressure
• Constipation
• Increased growth on only one side of the body (hemihypertrophy)

Note: Abnormal urine color may also be associated with this disease. A missing iris of the eye (aniridia) is a birth defect that is sometimes associated with Wilms tumor.

CAUTION: Avoid palpation (prodding or pushing) of the abdomen, and use care during bathing and handling to avoid injury to the tumor site.

Special emphasis is placed on the history and physical exam -- looking for a family history of cancer and for associated birth defects in the child. The physical examination reveals an abdominal mass. High blood pressure may also be present.

Tests include:

• CBC (may show anemia )
• BUN
• Creatinine
• Creatinine clearance (may be decreased)
• Urinalysis (blood or protein in urine)
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Abdominal x-ray
• Chest x-ray (may demonstrate metastasis )
• Intravenous pyelogram (distortion of the kidney)
• CT scan of the abdomen (abdominal mass arising from kidney)

Other tests may be required to determine if the tumor has spread.

Review Date: 05/26/2006
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, MD, Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.