Wilms’tumor
DEFINITION
Wilms’ tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Also known as nephroblastoma, Wilms’ tumor is 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.
Improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of Wilms’ tumor have improved the prognosis for children with this disease. The outlook for most children with Wilms’ tumor is very good.
CAUSES
It’s not clear what causes Wilms’ tumor.
Doctors know that cancer begins when cells develop errors in their DNA. The errors allow the cells to grow and divide uncontrollably and to go on living when other cells would die. The accumulating cells form a tumor. In Wilms’ tumor, this process occurs in the kidney cells.
In a small number of cases, the errors in DNA that lead to Wilms’ tumor are passed from parents to children. In most cases, there is no known connection between parents and children that may lead to cancer.
SYMPTOMS
Wilms’ tumor doesn’t always cause signs and symptoms. Children with Wilms’ tumor may appear healthy, or they may experience:
- Abdominal swelling
- An abdominal mass you can feel
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Blood in the urine
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your child’s doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms that worry you. The signs and symptoms associated with Wilms’ tumor aren’t specific to the condition and are much more likely to be caused by something else.
