Wilms’ tumor: overview

A Wilms tumour is a very highly malignant solid kidney опухоль‎. It is also called nephroblastoma (part of the word “nephro” means the kidney, and “blastoma” means the tumour). The tumour is named for the German surgeon from Heidelberg, Max Wilms. At the turn of the last century, Max Wilms was engaged in this disease and first described it in detail.

The malignancy of nephroblastoma is that it is growing rapidly and begins to give metastases early. About 10% of children diagnosed with Wilms tumours already have metastases at the time of diagnosis. As a rule, they affect the lymphatic узлы‎ adjacent to the kidneys, as well as the lungs and liver. In some children (about 5%), a Wilms tumour immediately affects both kidneys. Typically, in these children, the tumour grows from a tissue called nephroblastomatosis. This is immature embryonic kidney tissue. It is believed that Wilms tumour begins with it.

Symptoms of the disease

At first, because of Wilms’s tumour, nothing hurts in the children and they do not complain about anything. In sick children, the stomach is dense and it seems to be “swelling” forward. Parents explain this with a good appetite. Often, at a routine medical examination, a child’s doctor accidentally finds nephroblastoma, probing a large tumour in the child’s abdomen (about 10% of cases), and there are no other симптом‎ов. Very rarely, the first symptom of nephroblastoma in children is abdominal pain, or there are impurities of blood in the urine. Also, the child can lose weight, he may have a high fever, indigestion (for example, constipation), high pressure and cough due to lung metastases. If a child already has certain genetic syndromes and developmental abnormalities, then they help suspect his Wilms tumour.

Treatment of the disease

The Tel Aviv Medical Clinic has real professionals who have all the necessary skills and knowledge. Our employees receive special training every year. Wards of the department are equipped with everything necessary for the speedy recovery of patients. We set tariffs at the state level. Thus, you get high-end services at an acceptable price. If necessary, our medical staff will help contact charitable foundations to raise funds for treatment. At the development support centre, you can get the help of a psychologist, as well as take a rehabilitation course.

The most commonly used therapies are:

• Surgery;
• Chemotherapy;
• Radiation irradiation;
• Targeted treatment.

The last method is revolutionary and helps to get rid of pathology without operating.