Wilms Tumor
Wilms Tumor Wilms tumor, also called Nephroblastoma, is the most common type of pediatric kidney cancer, accounting for about 5% of all childhood cancers. “It is named after Max Wilms, a German doctor who wrote one of the first medical articles about the disease in 1899” (The American Cancer Society, 2016). Majority of cases are diagnosed before the age of 5, becoming less common as the child grows older. There are approximately 500 new cases diagnosed every year in the United States. During fetal renal development, early kidney cells develop into glomeruli and nephrons. If this process fails, clusters of immature cells may form in the kidneys when the baby is born. These cells will usually mature by the time a child is 3 or 4 years
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The tumor is usually much larger than the kidney itself. Children often do not experience any pain or problems and look perfectly healthy. Fortunately, Wilms tumor is usually found before it metastasis to other parts of the body. The first thing parents most often notice is a hard, palpable mass in the abdominal area. Rarely children present with an abdominal pain. Some other symptoms that can accompany this disease are hematuria, hypertension, anemia, fatigue, fever, nausea, weight loss, shortness of breath and feeling of being …show more content…
Ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound is generally the first imaging test done. Ultrasound is good way to visualize the abdominal organs without exposing a child to radiation. It can determine whether there is a tumor, the composition of the mass, whether it is cystic or solid. It can also see if it has spread into surrounding organs or if it has invaded major vessels such as the renal vein or inferior vena cava. CT (CAT) scan or MRI scan
“Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended to further evaluate the nature and extent of the mass” (Chintagumpala and Muscal, 2016). Both of these techniques produce detailed images of the body by using x-rays in the CT scan and magnetic field in MRI. This gives the physician better idea whether the tumor has spread into the surrounding organs or into the nearby veins. Chest x-ray
Chest x-ray may be ordered to determine if the tumor has metastasized into the lungs. This can also be done by chest CT scan.
The tumor is usually much larger than the kidney itself. Children often do not experience any pain or problems and look perfectly healthy. Fortunately, Wilms tumor is usually found before it metastasis to other parts of the body. The first thing parents most often notice is a hard, palpable mass in the abdominal area. Rarely children present with an abdominal pain. Some other symptoms that can accompany this disease are hematuria, hypertension, anemia, fatigue, fever, nausea, weight loss, shortness of breath and feeling of being …show more content…
Ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound is generally the first imaging test done. Ultrasound is good way to visualize the abdominal organs without exposing a child to radiation. It can determine whether there is a tumor, the composition of the mass, whether it is cystic or solid. It can also see if it has spread into surrounding organs or if it has invaded major vessels such as the renal vein or inferior vena cava. CT (CAT) scan or MRI scan
“Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended to further evaluate the nature and extent of the mass” (Chintagumpala and Muscal, 2016). Both of these techniques produce detailed images of the body by using x-rays in the CT scan and magnetic field in MRI. This gives the physician better idea whether the tumor has spread into the surrounding organs or into the nearby veins. Chest x-ray
Chest x-ray may be ordered to determine if the tumor has metastasized into the lungs. This can also be done by chest CT scan.