W

Wilms’s tumor A malignant (cancerous) growth
in the kidney. Wilms’s tumor, also called nephrob-
lastoma, nearly always affects children under age
six. Though relatively rare, with doctors diagnos-
ing about 500 children a year in the United States
with this form of kidney cancer, Wilms’s tumor is
the most common cancer of the kidney that
occurs in children. Current treatment approaches
have much improved survival, with the five-year
survival rate now exceeding 90 percent.

Symptoms and Diagnostic Path

Wilms’s tumor may not show symptoms until it is

quite large, at which point a parent or caregiver

may see or feel the tumor as a lump in the child’s

belly. The pediatrician may discover Wilms’s

tumor during a routine well-child examination.

When the tumor causes symptoms, they often

include

• HEMATURIA(bloody URINE)

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STAGING OF WILMS’S TUMOR

Wilms’s Tumor Stage Extent of Cancer Treatment Protocols/Options
stage 1 tumor is small and remains localized in one partial or simple NEPHRECTOMYfollowed by
kidney CHEMOTHERAPY

stage 2 tumor extends beyond the kidney though radical nephrectomy followed by chemotherapy
remains confined to a single mass that
surgery can completely remove

stage 3 tumor extends to adjacent structures and chemotherapy before surgery
lymph nodes and surgery cannot completely radical nephrectomy followed by chemotherapy and
remove it possibly RADIATION THERAPY

stage 4 tumor has metastasized to distant sites chemotherapy
nephrectomy
radiation therapy

stage 5 both KIDNEYShave tumors partial nephrectomy of both kidneys to remove as much
cancer as possible yet retain kidney function
chemotherapy
repeat partial nephrectomy
radiation therapy

inoperable tumor is very large or located too close to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination to
vital BLOODvessels for surgery to be viable reduce the tumor’s size