What is wilms tumor?

Wilms tumor is a tumor (growth of abnormal cells) in the kidney. It's the most common type of kidney cancer in children. It is most common in children younger than 5. In many cases, Wilms can be treated and cured.

Wilms is usually in one kidney (unilateral), but it can be in both (bilateral).

The cancer cells can spread to nearby lymph nodes. Or they may spread to other parts of the body, most often the lungs or liver.

Symptoms of Wilms tumor include:

• A mass in the belly. You or your child's doctor might find a lump.
• Blood in your child's urine.
• Belly pain.
• Fever.
• High blood pressure.

The doctor will ask about your child's past health. He or she will do a physical exam.

Your child may have several imaging tests. An ultrasound test may be the first test used. CT or MRI scans can show the size of the tumor and if it's spread. Your child may have other tests such as:

• A urine test.
• Blood tests.
• A biopsy. A sample of the tumor is sent to a lab so that it can be looked at under a microscope. It can show if something is cancer and what type.
• Genetic tests.

Most of the time, a doctor will use surgery to remove the kidney with the tumor in it.

And in most cases, chemotherapy (chemo) will be used to destroy any cancer cells that are left. Chemo is medicine that destroys cancer cells. Your child may start chemo even before the tumor is removed.

Radiation therapy may be used for tumors that have spread or that look like they might spread. It uses high-energy rays, such as X-rays. The rays destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors in the body.

Ask your doctor about having your child take part in a clinical trial. A clinical trial is a study of a new or different way to treat cancer. People in clinical trials get the latest treatments for their cancer and are closely watched. For more information, call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

There are things you can do to help your child. Give medicines as prescribed to ease side effects of treatment. If it's hard for your child to eat, talk to the doctor or a dietitian. Help your child get plenty of rest.