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Wilms tumor

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Definition:

Wilms tumor is a cancerous tumor of the kidney. This tumor occurs in children.

Alternative Names:

Nephroblastoma; Kidney tumor

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Wilms tumor is one of the most common childhood tumors of the abdomen, and the most common type of kidney tumor. The exact cause of this tumor in most children is unknown.

The tumor is associated with certain birth defects including urinary tract abnormalities, absence of the iris (aniridia), and hemihypertrophy (enlargement of one side of the body). It is more common among some siblings and twins, which suggests a possible genetic cause.

The tumor may become quite large, but usually remains encapsulated (self-enclosed). It may spread to other body tissues, especially the lungs.

The disease is estimated to occur in about 1 out of 200,000 to 250,000 children. The peak time of occurrence is at 3 years old, and Wilms tumor is rare after the age of 8 years.

• Review Date: 5/26/2006
• Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, MD, Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.

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