As a childhood disorder affecting the kidneys, Wilms’ tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is a cancerous tumor which most commonly develops, in children, around age three. Although rare in both kidneys, the diagnosis of Wilms’ tumor creates a frightening medical concern in parents, healthcare professionals and children alike. Understanding the origin of Wilms’ tumor, the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, may provide for a more educated treatment process in this childhood kidney disorder.
Young children suffering from the development of a Wilms’ tumor, generally present to the pediatrician’s office with the development of a mass which is noticed by a parent when dressing a child. Because symptoms of a Wilms’ tumor are generally mild, the condition is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, by the pediatrician, at the age when the child is at greatest risk. As parents, monitoring a child’s health condition is crucially important, especially the vital internal organs including the kidneys. When a child’s symptoms present as persistent constipation, bloody urine, fever, nausea and vomiting, the pediatrician may recommend a variety of laboratory or diagnostic testing including those tests required to confirm or rule out a Wilms’ tumor diagnosis. Unfortunately, because many children suffering from Wilms’ tumor will present with pain of low back pain, a doctor may, initially, ignore the condition as that of growing pains or a simple muscle strain. However, when pain in the low back are persistent, a series of diagnostic tests may be ordered including an MRI study.
As in most cancers, Wilms’ tumor is diagnosed using a staging method. Often very difficult to diagnose, Wilms’ tumor is generally found through mutiple diagnostic tests including an MRI and CT scan. Complete blood count (CBC) and urinalysis are usually the first laboratory tests to be done to determine if there is blood in the urine, also known as hematuria. Once positively diagnosed, the progression of Wilms’ tumor is classified based on a staging process with a Class I to Class IV and treatment is planned accordingly.
Fortunately, in approximately 40 percent of all childhood diagnosed cases, Wilms’ tumor is found to be most common in Stage 1 progression which is limited to the affected kidney and can be easily removed by surgical procedure. Because the blood vessels in Stage 1 Wilms’ tumor are not involved, the tumor is removed without further complication to the kidney itself. The key to successful surgery, however, involves the removal of the tumor without rupture therefore avoiding the creation of further internal complications. In some cases, following nephroblastoma surgery, a round of chemotherapy may be indicated with radiation therapy rarely used in children suffering from this kidney cancer disorder.
As the second most common childhood tumor, absent brain tumors, Wilms’ tumor is a significant matter of concern among many pediatricians. With almost six percent of all childhood cancers associated with Wilms’ tumor, ensuring early diagnosis and intervention may provide for a more optimal outcome. For more information regarding Wilms’ tumor, visit www.mayoclinic.com.
