Wilms tumor

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Kidney anatomy

Wilms tumor

Nephroblastoma; Kidney tumor

Clinical staging of the tumor is done to determine the extent of the tumor and to maximize the effectiveness of treatment plans. Surgical exploration and removal of the tumor is scheduled as soon as possible.

Regional lymph nodes, abdominal organs, and other tissues are examined and removed if the tumor has spread to those areas. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy will often be started after surgery, depending on the stage of the tumor.

With treatment, the disease has a high cure rate. Children with a localized tumor have a 90% cure rate when treated with surgery and chemotherapy; or with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy combined.

Spread of the tumor to the lungs, 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 Wilms tumor that is present in both kidneys may leave the patient with borderline kidney function.

Call your health care provider if you discover an abdominal mass in your child's abdomen, blood in the urine, or other symptoms suggestive of Wilms tumor.

Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop during or after treatment for Wilms tumor, particularly cough, chest pain, weight loss, or persistent fevers.

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.