Mayo Clinic's approach to Wilms tumor care
At Mayo Clinic Children's Center, you can expect the best care for your child from our multispecialty team of pediatric experts on Wilms tumor.
Your Mayo Clinic care team
Mayo Clinic's experienced team of pediatric specialists work together to create a customized treatment plan for your child. Team members include pediatric urologists, pediatric oncologists, pediatric surgeons, pediatric anesthesiologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, kidney pathologists, pediatric nurse practitioners, pediatric nurses, child life specialists, social workers and others as needed. Genetic testing and counseling are done when relevant.
Full range of treatment options
Mayo Clinic experts will work with you to review all of your child's treatment options. The range of treatments offered for children with Wilms tumor includes partial or total kidney removal, known as nephrectomy, chemotherapy and radiation.
Access to the latest technology
When appropriate, Mayo Clinic offers minimally invasive surgery, which includes laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery. Robotic surgery enables the surgeon to visualize the procedure in much greater detail and work in tight spaces where human hands don't fit. Mayo Clinic's Proton Beam Therapy Program provides highly targeted precision beam therapy, destroying cancer while sparing healthy tissue.
In robotic surgery, the surgeon sits at a computer console near the operating table. He or she controls the camera arm and mechanical arms, which have surgical instruments attached to them that are working inside the patient's body.
During robotic surgery, an assistant works at the operating table, exchanging instruments and ensuring the safe movement of the robotic arms.
Early-phase clinical trial opportunities
Mayo Clinic doctors are active in kidney cancer research, including Wilms tumor, which gives patients a chance to enroll in clinical trials to try the latest treatment innovations.
Continuity of care
Mayo Clinic provides lifelong care, so children who have cancer can transition to adult care for follow-up as they age. This is especially important for those who had chemotherapy, to monitor for and treat any long-term effects.
Expertise and rankings
Mayo Clinic is regularly recognized by other organizations for outstanding patient care. Being recognized strengthens our commitment to providing expert care. We tailor care of children with Wilms tumor to the needs of each child.
- Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center. These standards recognize scientific excellence and a multidisciplinary approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
- Collaboration with other experts. Mayo Clinic is a member of the Children's Oncology Group, a national group of institutions dedicated to children's cancer research, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which sets the standards for quality cancer care. Your child can receive coordinated diagnosis and treatment based on the latest research.
- Pediatric specialists. Mayo Clinic's multispecialty team consists of pediatric specialists highly skilled in treating children with Wilms tumor. This includes pediatric urologists, pediatric oncologists, pediatric surgeons, radiation oncologists, pediatric anesthesiologists, pediatric nurses, child life specialists and other pediatric experts.
- Complex cases. Mayo Clinic has the surgical and medical expertise to treat even the most complex cases of Wilms tumor. For example, if the tumor involves the inferior vena cava or the heart, pediatric specialists, adult uro-oncologists, adult vascular and cardiovascular surgeons, and other experts work as a team to plan and perform surgery for this complicated problem.
Mayo Clinic in Minnesota ranks among the best hospitals for urology in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic Children's Center in Rochester is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Minnesota, and the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2023–2024 "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings.
Mayo Clinic Children's Center
Highly skilled pediatric experts diagnose and treat all types of conditions in children. As a team, we work together to find answers, set goals and develop a treatment plan tailored to your child's needs.
Learn more about the Children's Center.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
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Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.