Wilms tumor

Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma) is a malignant neoplasm, which is most common among children from 2 to 15 years old. More than 80% of cases of oncological diseases in children occur in nephroblastoma. Most often, one-sided lesions of the kidney tumor. It is believed that its development is caused by a violation of the formation of the kidneys in the embryonic period.

Wilms tumor in children: classification

In total, there are 5 stages of the disease:

1. The tumor is only inside one of the kidneys. As a rule, the child does not experience any discomfort and does not complain.
2. A tumor outside the kidney, no metastasis.
3. The tumor sprouts its capsule and nearby organs. Lymph nodes are affected.
4. There are metastases (liver, lungs, bones).
5. Bilateral renal involvement by tumor.

Wilms tumor: symptoms

Depending on the age of the child and the stage of the disease, the following symptoms are distinguished:

• general weakness;
• feeling of indisposition;
• decreased appetite;
• weight loss;
• increased body temperature;
• pallor of the skin;
• a slight increase in blood pressure;
• in blood tests there is an increase in ESR and a decrease in iron;
• macrogematuria (blood in the urine);
• in some cases there is an intestinal obstruction due to compression of the intestinal tumor.

Also, in the presence of Wilms' tumor, the child's behavior may change.

At a late stage of the disease, it is possible to manually probe the neoplasm in the abdomen. The child can complain of pain that results from the squeezing of neighboring organs (liver, retroperitoneal tissue, diaphragm).

Metastases predominantly spread to the lungs, liver, opposite kidney, brain. With an abundance of metastases, a sick child begins to lose weight and strength quickly. Lethal outcome can occur as a result of pulmonary insufficiency and severe exhaustion of the body.

Wilms tumor can also be accompanied by other serious genetic diseases: anomalies in the development of the musculoskeletal system, hypospadias, cryptorchidism, ectopia, kidney doubling, hemihypertrophy.

Kidney nephroblast in children: treatment

At the slightest suspicion of neoplasm in the abdominal cavity, the doctor prescribes a set of diagnostic procedures:

• uzi of all organs and systems;
• excretory urography;
• radiography;
• CT scan;
• renal arteriography;
• radioisotope scanning for determining metastases in the child's body.

The tumor is treated surgically, followed by radiotherapy and intensive medication. Radiation therapy can be used in the pre- and postoperative period. The most effective use of several types of chemical drugs (vinblastine, doxirubicin, vincristine). As a rule, radiation therapy is not used to treat children under two years of age.

In case of relapses, aggressive chemotherapy, surgical treatment and radiotherapy are carried out. Risk of relapse is no more than 20% regardless of the age category.

If the tumor can not be operated, then a chemotherapy course is used, followed by a kidney audit (removal).

Depending on the stage of the disease, the prognosis is different: the highest percentage of recovery (90%) is noted at the first stage, the fourth - up to 20%.

The outcome of treatment is also affected by the age of the child when a tumor was found. As a rule, children survive up to one year in 80% of cases, and after a year - no more than half of children.