renal Wilms' tumor

What is Renal Wilms' Tumor?

Renal Wilms' tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is a rare type of kidney cancer that primarily affects children. It is the most common cancer of the kidneys in children and typically occurs in children under the age of 5.

Characteristics of Renal Wilms' Tumor

• A tumor usually forms on one kidney, but in some cases, it can affect both kidneys.
• The tumor is often a single mass, but sometimes there may be multiple masses or cancerous spots on one kidney.
• It is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, and nearby lymph nodes.

Incidence and Demographics

• Approximately 500 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
• The majority of cases occur in children under the age of 15, with most cases occurring in children under the age of 5.
• Rare cases have been reported in adults, but it is a cancer primarily found in children.

References

• [1] Wilms tumor is the most common type of childhood kidney tumor. (Search result 3)
• [2] It is also the most common pediatric abdominal cancer and the fourth most common pediatric cancer overall. (Search result 12)
• [3] The tumor usually affects a single kidney, but approximately 5-10 percent of children with Wilms tumor have both kidneys involved. (Search result 1)

Common Signs and Symptoms of Renal Wilms' Tumor

Renal Wilms' tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. The signs and symptoms of this condition can vary widely from child to child, but some common indicators include:

• A swollen spot or hard lump in the abdomen (stomach area), which may be painful or painless [1]
• Pain in the abdomen
• Blood in the urine
• Fever
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Abdominal swelling, which can be a result of the tumor growing and putting pressure on surrounding tissues [4]

In some cases, children with Wilms' tumor may not exhibit any symptoms at all. However, when symptoms do occur, they can range from mild to severe.

Other Possible Symptoms

Some additional symptoms that have been associated with Wilms' tumor include:

• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure (hypertension) [6]

It's essential for parents or caregivers to be aware of these potential signs and symptoms, as early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

References

[1] Context result 1: "Signs and symptoms of Wilms tumor include: A swollen spot or hard lump in your child’s abdomen (stomach area)."

[4] Context result 4: "Symptoms of Wilms tumor vary widely. Most children (60%) have a lump (tumor) in the abdomen (belly). Many children have no symptoms and..."

[6] Context result 6: "Fever · Constipation; Loss of appetite; Nausea; Vomiting; Shortness of breath; Hypertension (high blood pressure) ... How do we diagnose Wilms tumor?"

Differential Diagnosis of Renal Wilms' Tumor

Renal Wilms' tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is the most common childhood abdominal malignancy. However, its differential diagnosis can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms and imaging characteristics with other renal tumors.

Common Differential Diagnoses:

• Clear Cell Sarcoma: This is the second most common childhood renal tumor, which has a poorer prognosis compared to Wilms' tumor. Clear cell sarcoma often metastasizes to bone and has higher mortality and relapse rates.
• Neuroblastoma: Although rare in children with abdominal masses, neuroblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Wilms' tumor, especially if the tumor is located in an unusual site or has associated lymphadenopathy.
• Mesoblastic Nephroma: This is a rare renal tumor that primarily affects infants. It can present as a solid mass and may have similar imaging characteristics to Wilms' tumor.
• Renal Rhabdoid Tumor: Although rare, this aggressive tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Wilms' tumor, especially if there are associated brain tumors.

Key Imaging Features:

• Imaging Characteristics: The differential diagnosis of Wilms' tumor can be challenging due to overlapping imaging characteristics with other renal tumors. However, certain features such as bulky lymphadenopathy (RCC or lymphoma) or liver and bone metastases (clear cell sarcoma) can help distinguish between the differentials.
• Location and Size: The location and size of the tumor can also provide clues for differential diagnosis. For example, neuroblastoma is more likely to be located in an unusual site.

Clinical Considerations:

• Age and Presentation: Wilms' tumor typically presents as a single nodule or multifocal unilateral lesions in children. However, bilateral tumors are less common.
• Symptoms and Signs: The symptoms and signs of Wilms' tumor can vary depending on the size and location of the tumor.

References:

• [3] Wilms’ tumour (WT) is the most common paediatric renal tumour, which can present as a single nodule, as multifocal unilateral lesions or as bilateral tumours.
• [4] Differential diagnoses include other childhood renal tumors such as clear cell sarcoma and neuroblastoma.
• [14] The differential diagnosis of Wilms tumor can be tricky due to overlapping symptoms and imaging characteristics with other renal tumors.

Note: This response is based on the provided context, which includes search results related to Wilms' tumor.