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Wilms' tumor
Wilms' tumor or nephroblastoma is a tumor of the kidneys that typically occurs in children, rarely in adults. Its common name is an eponym, referring to Dr. Max Wilms, the German surgeon (1867-1918) who first described this kind of tumor.[1] Approximately 500 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. annually. The majority (75%) occur in otherwise normal children; a minority (25%) is associated with other developmental abnormalities. It is highly responsive to treatment, with about 90% of patients surviving at least five years.
Additional recommended knowledge
PathologyPathologically, a triphasic nephroblastoma comprises three elements:
Wilms' tumor is a malignant tumor containing metanephric blastema, stromal and epithelial derivatives. Characteristic is the presence of abortive tubules and glomeruli surrounded by a spindled cell stroma. The stroma may include striated muscle, cartilage, bone, fat tissue, fibrous tissue. The tumor is compressing the normal kidney parenchyma. Pathology images The mesenchymal component may include cells showing rhabdomyoid differentiation. The rhabdomyoid component may itself show features of malignancy (rhabdomyosarcomatous Wilms). Wilms tumor may be separated into 2 prognostic groups based on pathologic characteristics:
Molecular biologyMutations of the WT1 gene on chromosome 11 are observed in approximately 20% of Wilms' tumors.[2][3] At least half of the Wilms' tumors with mutations in WT1 also carry mutations in CTNNB1, the gene encoding the proto-oncogene beta-catenin.[4] A gene on the X chromosome, WTX, is inactivated in up to 30% of Wilms' tumor cases, according to research published in 2007.[5] Staging and treatmentStaging is determined by combination of imaging studies, and pathologic findings if the tumor is operable (adapted from www.cancer.gov). Treatment strategy is determined by the stage: Stage I (43% of patients)For stage I Wilms' tumor, 1 or more of the following criteria must be met:
Treatment: Nephrectomy + 18 weeks of chemotherapy Outcome: 98% 4-year survival; 85% 4-year survival if anaplastic Stage II (23% of patients)For Stage II Wilms' tumor, 1 or more of the following criteria must be met:
Treatment: Nephrectomy + abdominal radiation + 24 weeks of chemotherapy Outcome: 96% 4-year survival; 70% 4-year survival if anaplastic Stage III (23% of patients)For Stage III Wilms' tumor, 1 or more of the following criteria must be met:
Treatment: Abdominal radiation + 24 weeks of chemotherapy + nephrectomy after tumor shrinkage Outcome: 95% 4-year survival; 56% 4-year survival if anaplastic Stage IV (10% of patients)Stage IV Wilms' tumor is defined as the presence of hematogenous metastases (lung, liver, bone, or brain), or lymph node metastases outside the abdomenopelvic region. Treatment: Nephrectomy + abdominal radiation + 24 weeks of chemotherapy + radiation of metastatic site as appropriate Outcome: 90% 4-year survival; 17% 4-year survival if anaplastic Stage V (5% of patients)Stage V Wilms’ tumor is defined as bilateral renal involvement at the time of initial diagnosis. Note: For patients with bilateral involvement, an attempt should be made to stage each side according to the above criteria (stage I to III) on the basis of extent of disease prior to biopsy. The 4-year survival was 94% for those patients whose most advanced lesion was stage I or stage II; 76% for those whose most advanced lesion was stage III. Treatment: Individualized thereapy based on tumor burden Stage I-IV AnaplasiaChildren with stage I anaplastic tumors have an excellent prognosis (80-90% five-year survival). They can be managed with the same regimen given to stage I favorable histology patients. Children with stage II through stage IV diffuse anaplasia, however, represent a higher-risk group. These tumors are more resistant to the chemotherapy traditionally used in children with Wilms’ tumor (favorable histology), and require more aggressive regimens. TreatmentOnce a kidney tumor is found, surgery can find out whether or not the tumor is cancer. A sample of tissue from the tumor is sent to a pathologist, who looks at it under a microscope to check for signs of cancer. If the tumor is only in the kidney, it can be removed along with the whole kidney (a process called nephrectomy). If there are tumors in both kidneys or if the tumor has spread outside the kidney, a piece of the tumor will be removed. See alsoReferences
Categories: Kidney diseases | Types of cancer | Urology | Pediatrics | Oncology |
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Wilms'_tumor". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |