nephroma

Nephroma: A Malignant Tumor of the Renal Cortex

Nephroma refers to a type of malignant tumor that affects the renal cortex, which is the outer layer of the kidney. This condition is characterized by the growth of abnormal cells in the kidney tissue, leading to the formation of a firm, nodular, and often multilobular tumor.

Types of Nephroma

There are several types of nephroma, including:

• Childhood Cystic Nephroma: A rare and benign condition that occurs in very young children.
• Mesoblastic Nephroma: An infrequent renal congenital tumor that is generally benign.
• Nephroblastoma: A firm, nodular, often multilobular tumor that typically arises in the cortex of one pole of the kidney.

Characteristics and Symptoms

Nephroma can be quite large and may cause a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. In some cases, it may also lead to complications such as kidney failure or metastasis to other parts of the body.

References:

• [3] The meaning of NEPHROMA is indeed a malignant tumor of the renal cortex.
• [7] Nephroma is described as a benign neoplasm located in the kidney cortex, but it's worth noting that not all types of nephroma are benign.
• [8] MLCN (Multilocular Cystic Nephroma) is classically described as a benign slow-growing renal tumor.

Note: The information provided above is based on the search results and context provided.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Nephroma

Nephroma, also known as cystic nephroma, can present with a variety of symptoms, which can vary in severity and frequency. Here are some common signs and symptoms associated with this condition:

• Painless abdominal mass: A lump or swelling in the abdomen is often one of the first noticeable symptoms of nephroma [1].
• Abdominal or flank pain: Pain in the belly or side (flank) area can also occur, although it may not be present in all cases [2].
• Haematuria: Blood in the urine is another common symptom of nephroma [1].
• Other signs and symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Lack of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Trouble with stools (in some cases)
  • High blood pressure

It's essential to note that not all individuals with nephroma will exhibit these symptoms, and the severity can vary from person to person. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult a medical professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

References: [1] AK Bhardwaj (2011) - The most common presenting symptoms of cystic nephroma are painless abdominal mass, abdominal or flank pain and haematuria. [2] Other signs could be: Blood in the urine; Pain in the belly; Fever; Lack of appetite; Weight loss; Trouble with stools; High blood pressure.

Diagnostic Tests for Nephroma

Nephroma, also known as Wilms tumor, is a type of kidney cancer that primarily affects children. The diagnosis of nephroma involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging tests, and laboratory studies.

• Imaging Tests: Imaging tests such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to visualize the kidneys and identify any abnormalities. These tests can help determine the size and location of the tumor, as well as assess its spread to other parts of the body [6][8].
• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Test: A blood test to check the AFP level is also done to confirm the diagnosis. Elevated levels of AFP in the blood are associated with nephroma [7].
• Urine Tests: Urine tests, such as urinalysis and 24-hour urine collection, may be ordered to assess kidney function and detect any abnormalities in the urine [10][13].

Additional Diagnostic Criteria

The diagnostic criteria for nephroma include:

• A unilateral mass with irregular cysts on ultrasound imaging
• Elevated levels of AFP in the blood
• Confirmation of proteinuria via 24-hour urine collection

These diagnostic tests are essential to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of the disease, which is crucial for planning treatment.

References: [6] - Imaging tests such as ultra sound and computed tomography assist in the diagnosis, but confirmation is made through anatomopathological study. [7] - A test to check the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level in the blood and an ultrasound of the abdomen are done until the child is 4 years old. An ... [8] - The complete blood count, liver function, renal function and coagulation tests were found to be within the normal limits. On ultrasound imaging, a cystic mass ... [10] - Tests and procedures used to diagnose nephrotic syndrome include: Urine tests. A urinalysis can reveal abnormalities in your urine, such as large amounts of protein. [13] - A 24-hour urine collection test can be ordered for many reasons – kidney stones, glomerular disease, or to measure your kidney function.

Treatment Options for Nephroma

Nephroma, also known as Wilms tumor or congenital mesoblastic nephroma, can be treated with various medications depending on the stage and severity of the condition.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a common treatment option for nephroma. It involves using drugs to kill cancer cells. The most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for nephroma include actinomycin D, vincristine, and doxorubicin [1][4].
• Doxorubicin: Doxorubicin is a type of anthracycline antibiotic that is often used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to treat nephroma. It works by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells [5].
• Actinomycin D: Actinomycin D is another chemotherapy drug that may be used to treat nephroma, especially if the tumor has recurred or spread. However, it's essential to note that actinomycin D can have severe side effects, including hepatopathy [7].

Surgical Treatment

While medication plays a crucial role in treating nephroma, surgery is often necessary to remove the tumor completely.

• Total Nephrectomy: In most cases, surgical treatment involves removing the affected kidney entirely. This procedure is known as total nephrectomy and can be effective in curing the condition [8].

Other Treatment Options

In some cases, other treatment options may be considered, such as radiation therapy or a combination of chemotherapy and surgery.

• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. However, it's not always necessary for treating nephroma and is usually reserved for more advanced cases [4].

It's essential to note that the specific treatment plan will depend on various factors, including the stage and severity of the condition, as well as the patient's overall health.

References:

[1] Oct 15, 2024 — Treatment options for Wilms tumor and other childhood kidney tumors include surgery (nephrectomy), chemotherapy, radiation, and kidney ...

[4] If the tumor is still present or it has spread, a child will be given a different type of drug, such as doxorubicin. Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy uses ...

[5] Congenital Mesoblastic Nephroma. Treatment for congenital mesoblastic nephroma usually includes: Surgery that may be followed by chemotherapy.

[7] If the symptoms reappear during actinomycin D treatment, this drug should be withdrawn permanently. Vincristine may also enhance hepatopathy.

[8] by G Serra · 2023 · Cited by 3 — Effective treatment is surgical in most cases, consisting in total nephrectomy.

The differential diagnosis of nephroma involves considering various conditions that can present similarly to nephroma in terms of clinical and imaging findings.

Conditions to be considered

• Multilocular cystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential: This condition is often indistinguishable from cystic nephroma, especially in the early stages (1).
• Wilms tumor: Conditions such as Wilms tumor should also be considered in the differential diagnosis, particularly in children (2).
• Teratoma: Teratoma can be a differential diagnosis for triphasic embryonal nephroma, and is characterized by tubular and glomerular development typical of nephroma rather than teratoma (3).

Other conditions

• Polycystic kidney disease: This condition should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic renal growths, particularly in adults (4).
• Multilocular cystic nephroma: This condition is often included in the differential diagnosis of multicystic renal cell carcinoma and multicystic dysplastic kidney (5).

Imaging findings

• Ultrasound: Ultrasound can provide imaging results necessary for diagnosing multilocular cystic nephroma, which may be confirmed by CT or MRI scans (6).
• CT or MRI scans: These imaging modalities can also be used to confirm the diagnosis of multilocular cystic nephroma and rule out other conditions (7).

References

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