Wilms Tumor

Each type of cancer has its own research, treatments and resources devoted to them. This page gives an overview of Wilms Tumor and for your convenience we have included the most recent news stories concerning Wilms Tumor. Be sure to check out our listings page for links to more information.

What is Wilms’ tumor?

Wilms’ tumor is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in certain parts of the kidney. The kidneys are a “matched” pair of organs found on either side of the backbone. The kidneys are shaped like a kidney bean. Inside each kidney are tiny tubes that filter and clean the blood, taking out unneeded products, and making urine. The urine made by the kidneys passes through a tube called a ureter into the bladder where it is held until it is passed from the body.

Wilms’ tumor is curable in the majority of affected children. If your child has symptoms, your child’s doctor will usually feel your child's abdomen for lumps and run blood and urine tests. The doctor may order a special x-ray called an intravenous pyelogram. During this test, a dye containing iodine is injected into your child's bloodstream. This allows your child's doctor to see the kidney more clearly on the x-ray. Your child's doctor may also do an ultrasound, which uses sound waves to make a picture, or a special x-ray called a computed tomographic scan to look for lumps in the kidney. A special scan called magnetic resonance imaging, which uses magnetic waves to make a picture, may also be done. Chest and bone x-rays may also be taken.

If abnormal tissue is found, your child's doctor will need to cut out a small piece and look at it under the microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy.

In Wilms’ tumor, how the cancer cells look under a microscope (histology) is also very important. The cancer cells can be of favorable histology or anaplastic histology. Anaplastic means the cancer cells divide rapidly and look very different from normal cells. Anaplastic tumors may be focal (in one area) or diffuse (spread widely throughout an area).

Your child's chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the stage of your child's cancer (whether it is just in the kidney only or has spread to other places in the body), how the cancer cells look under a microscope (histology), tumor size, and your child's age and general health.

What Are Other Childhood Kidney Tumors?
Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, rhabdoid tumor of the kidney, and neuroepithelial tumor of the kidney are childhood kidney tumors unrelated to Wilms' tumor. The treatment of these tumors is different from that of Wilms' tumor but because of their location near the kidneys, they have been treated on clinical trials developed by the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group.

 

Wilms Tumor in the News...

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 Local toddler participates in Relay for Life (Lassen County News)
Aug. 5, 2008 — 17-month-old Lily Smith was declared cancer-free in March of this year, and her mother could not be happier. “She is doing great right now, her hair has even grown back. She is a miracle,� said Lily’s mother Emily Smith.

 One Fifth Of British Adult Survivors Of Childhood Cancer Smoke Despite Hazard...
One-fifth of British adult survivors of childhood cancers are current smokers, and nearly a third have been regular smokers at some point in their lives, according to a study in the July 29 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

 Good To Know (The Naperville Sun)
'Brady Bunch' star guest at fundraiser

 Wilms' Tumor Associated With Vertebral Anomalies (Medical News Today)
UroToday.com - Dr. Serhan Kupeli, and his colleagues presented a case of a child who was diagnosed with Wilms' tumor. The child was given a thorough evaluation for tumor extension and was found to have several vertebral abnormalities. While they state that this is a rare association, they found a butterfly T3, T8 vertebrae and a T2, T7 hemivertebrae in the patient.

 'Princess Savannah' loses battle with cancer (The Lewiston Sun Journal)
WILTON - A young girl's courageous three-year struggle with cancer ended peacefully early Friday morning in the comfort of her parents' arms.

 Comments (4) (Cape May County Herald)
COURT HOUSE — There’s a little Court House boy who is in the fight of his young life and his mother wants to thank those who have been in his corner along the way.

 Twenty percent of British adult survivors of childhood cancer smoke despite h...
Twenty percent of British adult survivors of childhood cancers are current smokers, and nearly a third have been regular smokers at some point in their lives, according to a study in the July 29 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

 RELATED ARTICLES (Cape May County Herald)
“The Brendan,� affectionately named by the surfing community for the Brendan Borek Surf Memorial, celebrates its 18th birthday this August 16th, 2008. The original contest was held to give emotional and financial support to Brendan Borek on his 18th birthday as the Avalon teen was losing his valiant battle to Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare pediatric bone cancer.

 Austin Daily Herald (Austin Daily Herald)
The 11th annual Karl Tourney takes place Monday, Aug. 18, at Austin Country Club.

 Austin Daily Herald (Austin Daily Herald)
The 11th annual Karl Potach Memorial Golf Tournament Aug. 18 at the Austin Country Club is just one example of the community’s extraordinary efforts to raise money for cancer research.