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Wilms' tumor

Overview

  • Wilms' tumor

    Wilms' tumor

    Wilms' tumor

    The urinary system — which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — is responsible for removing waste from the body through urine. Wilms' tumor is the most common type of kidney cancer in children.

Wilms' tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Also known as nephroblastoma, it's the most common cancer of the kidneys in children. Wilms' tumor most often affects children ages 3 to 4 and becomes much less common after age 5.

Wilms' tumor most often occurs in just one kidney, though it can sometimes be found in both kidneys at the same time.

Over the years, advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of Wilms' tumor have greatly improved the outlook (prognosis) for children with this disease. With appropriate treatment, the outlook for most children with Wilms' tumor is very good.

Mayo Clinic's approach to Wilms' tumor care

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Symptoms & causes
May 04, 2017
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References
  1. Ritchey ML, et al. Pediatric urologic oncology: Renal and adrenal. In: Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2016. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 13, 2017.
  2. Ferri FF. Nephroblastoma. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2017. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 13, 2017.
  3. Kieran K, et al. Current surgical standards of care in Wilms tumor. Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations. 2016;34:13.
  4. Al-Hussain T, et al. Wilms tumor: An update. Advances in Anatomic Pathology. 2014;21:166.
  5. Cost NG, et al. Oncologic outcomes of partial versus radical nephrectomy for unilateral Wilms tumor. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2012;58:898.
  6. Lubahn JD, et al. Correlation between preoperative staging computerized tomography and pathological findings after nodal sampling in children with Wilms tumor. Journal of Urology. 2012;188:1500.
  7. Cost NG, et al. Pathological review of Wilms tumor nephrectomy specimens and potential implications for nephron sparing surgery in Wilms tumor. Journal of Urology. 2012;188:1506.
  8. Wilms tumor. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/wilmstumor. Accessed Jan. 13, 2017.
  9. Chintagumpala M, et al. Presentation, diagnosis, and staging of Wilms tumor. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed Jan. 14, 2017.
  10. Chintagumpala M, et al. Treatment and prognosis of Wilms tumor. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed Jan. 16, 2017.
  11. Children with cancer: A handbook for parents. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/children-with-cancer.pdf. Accessed Jan. 16, 2017.
  12. AskMayoExpert. Wilms tumor. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2016.
  13. Granberg, CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mar. 1, 2017.
  14. Arndt CA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 1, 2017.
  15. National Library of Medicine. Your guide to understanding genetic conditions: Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Genetics Home Reference: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/beckwith-wiedemann-syndrome. Accessed Feb. 2, 2017.

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Wilms' tumor

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