Wilms Tumor and Other Childhood Kidney Tumors

Fewer than 1% of kidney cancers are diagnosed in children. Most childhood kidney cancers are Wilms tumor (also known as nephroblastoma), but in the 15- to 19-year age group, most kidney tumors are renal cell carcinoma.

More than 500 cases of Wilms tumor are diagnosed in children in the United States each year, according to federal estimates. Although Wilms tumor mostly affects children with no other health issues, about 10% of childhood Wilms tumor cases occur in children with hereditary conditions. Depending on the cancer’s exact location and likelihood of spreading, the treatment options can vary between treatment surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other targeted therapies.

Wilms tumor accounts for the majority of childhood kidney cancer cases, but many other lower-incidence types of childhood kidney cancer exist: rhabdoid tumors, clear cell sarcoma, congenital mesoblastic nephroma, Ewing sarcoma of the kidney, primary renal myoepithelial carcinoma, cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma, multilocular cystic nephroma, primary renal synovial sarcoma, and anaplastic sarcoma. A related tumor condition called nephroblastomatosis can also occur in children, but it is not malignant.

Wilms Tumor and Other Childhood Kidney Tumors Treatment (PDQ®)

Source: National Cancer Institute