Wilms' Tumor Treatment

If your doctor suspects Wilms’ tumor, you may need any of the following diagnostic tests – • Ultrasound of the abdomen • Chest X-ray • CT scan • MRI scan • Blood tests • Biopsy

Children with Wilms’ tumor may have following symptoms – • Pain in abdomen • Nausea • Vomiting • Fever • Presence of blood in the urine • High blood pressure • Constipation • Uneven growth of one side of the body • Fever

Children in the age group of 3-4 years are affected by Wilms’s tumor.

The exact cause of tumor is not known yet.

Wilms’ tumor has 5 stages – • Stage 1 – Presence of tumor in one kidney which can completely be removed. • Stage 2 – Tumor is spread into the tissue and vessels around the kidney and can be completely removed. • Stage 3 – Tumor cannot be removed completely. Some cancer may remain in the abdomen. • Stage 4 – Tumor spreads to far body parts. • Stage 5 – Tumor is present in both the kidneys

The risk factors for Wilms’ tumor are – • Genetic factor • Gender • Race

There are 2 types of Wilms’ tumor on the basis of appearance of the tumor cells – • Unfavorable histology • Favorable histology

Depending on the drugs and therapy administered, the child may have various side effects. The complications of the treatment vary from child to child. Some of the complications are – • Hair loss • Diarrhea • Anemia • Weight loss • Pain • Changes in skin and nails • Low immunity • Fatigue • Sleep problems • Mouth sores

Majority of the children having Wilms’ tumor are treatable. The survival rate of the patient depends upon the stage and histology of the tumor.

The tumor commonly occurs in children with a family history. Thus, Wilms’ tumor cannot be prevented.

Wilms’ tumor is also known as embryoma kidney and nephroblastoma.

In most of the cases it may occur gain within two years of diagnosis and in some it may take more than two years to re occur.