Wilms' tumor
| Wilms' tumor | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Wilms' tumor Nephroblastoma |
| High magnification micrograph showing the three elements of Wilms' tumor. H&E stain. | |
| Pronunciation |
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| Specialty | Oncology, urology, nephrology |
| Usual onset | 1–4 years old |
| Treatment | Nephrectomy Radiotherapy |
| Prognosis | ~90% of children are cured |
| Frequency | ~500 new diagnoses per year (United States) |
| Named after | Max Wilms |
Wilms' tumor or Wilms tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is a cancer of the kidneys that typically occurs in children (rarely in adults), and occurs most commonly as a renal tumor in child patients. It is named after Max Wilms, the German surgeon (1867–1918) who first described it.
Approximately 650 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. annually. The majority of cases occur in children with no associated genetic syndromes; however, a minority of children with Wilms' tumor have a congenital abnormality. It is highly responsive to treatment, with about 90 percent of children being cured.