Summary
Definition
Wilms tumor, or nephroblastoma, is the most common form of renal malignancy in childhood. It usually occurs in the first 2 to 5 years of life.[1][2] Approximately 500 children and adolescents <20 years of age are diagnosed each year in the US.[3][4] The risk for developing Wilms tumor is increased in certain congenital overgrowth syndromes, congenital nonovergrowth syndromes, and children with congenital urogenital anomalies.[5][6][7][8][9][10] Long-term survival approaches 90% in localized disease.
[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Resected Wilms tumorUniversity of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah; used with permission [Citation ends].
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- upper abdominal/flank mass or swelling
- FHx
- congenital urogenital anomalies
- congenital syndromes
Other diagnostic factors
- abdominal distension
- abdominal pain
- pallor
- hypoglycemia in infancy
- hypertension
- lymphadenopathy
- varicocele
- hepatomegaly
- cholestasis
- fatigue
- poor appetite or cachexia
- fever
- hematuria
- shortness of breath
- irritability
- bone tenderness or pain
- features of paraneoplastic syndrome
Risk factors
- age 2 to 5 years
- FHx
- congenital urogenital anomalies
- congenital syndromes
- prenatal exposure to radiation or chemicals
- paternal occupation
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- CBC
- renal function
- LFTs
- urinalysis
- serum total protein/albumin
- coagulation studies
- serum calcium level
- abdominal ultrasound with Doppler
- chest x-ray
- CT or MRI abdomen and pelvis with and without contrast
- CT or MRI chest with and without contrast
- biopsy
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
Sandeep Batra, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Riley Hospital for Children
Department of Pediatrics
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indianapolis
IN
Disclosures
SB declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Nadine Deannie Lee, MD
Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Hematology/Oncology
Riley Children's Hospital
Indiana University Health
Indianapolis
IN
Disclosures
NDL declares that she has no competing interests.
Norbert Graf, MD
Direktor
Klinik für Pädiatrische Onkologie und Hämatologie
Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes
Homburg
Germany
Disclosures
NG declares that he has no competing interests.
Zelig Tochner, MD
Associate Professor
Radiation Oncology
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia
PA
Disclosures
ZT declares that he has no competing interests.
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer