childhood kidney cell carcinoma

Childhood Kidney Cell Carcinoma: A Rare but Aggressive Cancer

Childhood kidney cell carcinoma, also known as Wilms tumor, is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that affects the kidneys in children. It is the most common type of kidney cancer in kids, accounting for about 5% of all childhood cancers.

Types of Kidney Cancers in Children

There are two main types of kidney cancers in children: Wilms tumor (also called nephroblastoma) and neuroblastoma. Wilms tumor is the most common form, affecting around 450 to 500 kids per year in the United States. It occurs more often in girls and is usually found in children younger than five years old.

Symptoms of Kidney Tumors

The symptoms of kidney tumors in children can vary, but common signs include:

• A lump or mass in the abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Hematuria (blood in the urine)
• High blood pressure
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

Diagnosis and Treatment

Wilms tumor is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, imaging tests (such as ultrasound or CT scans), and biopsy. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Prognosis and Survival Rates

The prognosis for children with Wilms tumor is generally good, with most kids being cured of the disease. However, long-term survival can vary greatly from child to child, depending on factors such as the stage of the cancer at diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment.

References:

• [1] Wilms tumor is the most common type of renal (kidney) cancer in children, accounting for about 6 percent of all childhood cancers. (Source: Search result 3)
• [2] The disease can occur at any age between infancy and 15 years, but in most cases, the tumor is detected by the age of 3. (Source: Search result 4)
• [3] Wilms tumor is unrelated to adult kidney cancer. (Source: Search result 1)
• [4] Most children with Wilms tumor can be cured of the disease. (Source: Search result 3)

Common Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Kidney Cell Carcinoma

Childhood kidney cell carcinoma, also known as renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is a rare type of cancer that affects children. While it's not as common in kids as other types of cancers, it's essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms to ensure early detection and treatment.

Possible Signs and Symptoms:

• A lump or mass in the abdomen [3]
• Abdominal pain [3]
• Hematuria (blood in the urine) [3][6][7][8][11]
• High blood pressure [3][8]
• Loss of appetite [7][8][11]
• Unexplained fatigue [7][8]
• Vomiting [7]

Other Possible Symptoms:

• A swollen abdomen or large mass in the abdomen [4][5][9]
• Fever that is not caused by an infection and doesn't go away [14]
• Low back pain on one side (not caused by injury) [14]
• A mass (lump) on the side or lower back [14]

Important Notes:

• These symptoms can vary from child to child, and some may not experience any signs at all.
• If you suspect that your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult with a pediatrician immediately.

References:

[3] - A lump or mass in the abdomen is one of the possible signs and symptoms of pediatric renal tumors. [Context 3] [6] - Blood in the urine (hematuria) is a common symptom of Wilms tumor, which is a type of childhood kidney cancer. [Context 6] [7] - A swollen abdomen or large mass in the abdomen, abdominal pain, hematuria, high blood pressure, loss of appetite, unexplained fatigue, and vomiting are all possible symptoms of pediatric kidney tumors. [Context 3][Context 5][Context 7] [8] - Symptoms of kidney tumors include a lump or swelling in the belly, blood in the urine, belly pain, high blood pressure, fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss. [Context 8] [11] - Blood in the urine, which may appear pink, red, or cola-colored, is one of the possible signs and symptoms of Wilms tumor. [Context 11] [14] - Early kidney cancers often don’t cause any signs or symptoms, but larger or more advanced ones might. Some possible signs and symptoms of kidney cancer include blood in the urine (hematuria), low back pain on one side (not caused by injury), a mass (lump) on the side or lower back, fever that is not caused by an infection and doesn’t go away. [Context 14]

Diagnostic Tests for Childhood Kidney Cell Carcinoma

Childhood kidney cell carcinoma, also known as renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is a rare type of cancer that affects the kidneys in children. Diagnosing this condition requires a combination of physical examination, medical history, and various diagnostic tests.

• Imaging Tests: These are usually the first line of diagnosis for childhood RCC. Imaging tests such as:
  • Ultrasound: to show if the mass started growing in the kidney or somewhere else, and if it is solid [1].
  • CT or MRI scans: to see the size of the mass, and if it has spread to other parts of the body [2].
• Blood and Urine Tests: These tests may be used to check for any abnormalities in the blood and urine that could indicate kidney cancer.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure where a sample of tissue is taken from the affected area. This can help confirm the diagnosis of RCC.

Tests Used to Diagnose Pediatric Renal Tumors

In children, the following tests are used to diagnose renal tumors:

• An abdominal ultrasound records images inside the abdomen and allows doctors to see if there are any abnormalities in the kidneys [7].

References:

[1] May 1, 2024 — The actual diagnosis of kidney cancer is made by looking at a sample of kidney cells in the lab or sometimes by how the kidney looks on an imaging test. [2] Ultrasound: to show if the mass started growing in the kidney or somewhere else, and if it is solid. CT or MRI: to see the size of the mass, and if it has ... [7] What tests are used to diagnose pediatric renal tumors? · An abdominal ultrasound records images inside the abdomen and allows doctors to see if there are any ...

Treatment Options for Childhood Kidney Cell Carcinoma

Childhood kidney cell carcinoma, also known as Wilms tumor, is a type of cancer that affects the kidneys in children. The treatment options for this condition typically involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often used to treat Wilms tumor, especially in cases where the tumor is large or has spread to other parts of the body. Combination chemotherapy, which involves using two or more anticancer drugs, is commonly used to treat this condition [1][3]. The most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for Wilms tumor are dactinomycin and vincristine, which have been used for over 30 years with good success [4].
• Surgery: Surgery is usually the first line of treatment for Wilms tumor. In some cases, surgery may be followed by chemotherapy to ensure that all cancer cells are eliminated [5]. If the tumor is bilateral (appearing in both kidneys), chemotherapy may also be used before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor [7].
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy, such as proton therapy, may also be used to treat Wilms tumor, especially in cases where the tumor has recurred or is resistant to other treatments [9].

It's worth noting that the main goal of treatment for Wilms tumor is to cure the disease while preserving the child's quality of life. The specific treatment plan will depend on various factors, including the size and location of the tumor, as well as the child's overall health.

References:

[1] Combination chemotherapy is treatment using two or more anticancer drugs. Systemic chemotherapy is used to treat Wilms tumor and other cancers. [3] Combination chemotherapy is treatment using two or more anticancer drugs. Systemic chemotherapy is used to treat Wilms tumor and other cancers. [4] The drugs used most often are dactinomycin and vincristine. These drugs have been used for 30 years with very good success. [5] For children older than 2 and for those of any age who have larger tumors, surgery is usually followed by chemo for several months, with the goal of eliminating all cancer cells. [7] If the tumor is bilateral (appearing in both kidneys), chemotherapy is sometimes also used before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor. [9] Proton therapy, a more targeted form of radiation therapy, is offered at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as a treatment option for Wilms tumor.

The differential diagnosis of childhood kidney cell carcinoma, also known as renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in children, involves considering various types of tumors that can occur in the kidneys of young individuals.

Common Differential Diagnoses:

• Wilms Tumor: Also known as nephroblastoma, it is the most common type of cancerous renal tumor found in children. [6]
• Rhabdoid Tumor of the Kidney (MRTK): A rare and aggressive tumor that occurs predominantly in infants. [1]
• Congenital Mesoblastic Nephroma: Another rare tumor that occurs in infants, which can be treated with primary resection. [1]

Other Rare Renal Tumors to Consider:

• Renal Medullary Carcinoma: A rare and aggressive tumor that is often associated with sickle cell disease.
• Ewing Sarcoma: A type of bone cancer that can also occur in the kidneys.
• Collecting Duct Carcinoma: A rare type of kidney cancer that affects the collecting ducts.

Key Factors to Consider:

• Age: The odds of having an RCC diagnosis increase with age, and for every year of increasing age, the odds are increased by 50%.
• Racial Background: In black children, the odds of a renal tumor being RCC are increased.
• Tumor Size and Location: Smaller tumors and those located in specific areas of the kidney may be more likely to be RCC.

Accurate Classification:

To accurately classify a childhood kidney cell carcinoma, careful consideration of the tumor's histologic features, immunohistochemical markers, and molecular characteristics is essential. This can help distinguish between different types of renal tumors, including papillary RCC, clear cell sarcoma, and others.

References:

[1] - Congenital mesoblastic nephroma and rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK) are treated with primary resection. [2] - Renal cell carcinoma in children and young adults is rare, accounting for <2% of childhood renal tumors. [3] - Several recent studies have found that common RCC histologic subtypes detected in adults can also be found in children and young adults. [6] - Wilms tumor (also called nephroblastoma) is the most common type of cancerous renal tumor found in children.