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Kidney Cancer in Children

Kidney cancer is typified by uncontrolled cell division in the tissues lining the kidneys. Despite the fact that kidney cancer most commonly develops in adults, children are sometimes affected. Wilms' tumor is one of the most common form of kidney cancer developing in children 3 to 10 years old, accounting for nearly 95 percent of all cases. Immature kidney cells are considered to be one of the possible risk factors resulting in Wilms' tumor. Fortunately, with the advancement of medical technology, doctors are able detect Wilms' tumors effectively and plan the treatment according to the patient's needs.

  1. Symptoms of Wilms' Tumor

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, Wilms' tumor rarely produces any signs or symptoms during its initial stages. However common symptoms associated with Wilms' tumor during its latter stages include swelling and pain near the abdomen, increased blood pressure, high fever, reduced appetite and hematuria (presence of blood in urine).

    Causes and Risk Factors

    • The exact cause of kidney cancer in children is unknown, but certain factors such as family history of the condition, genetic mutations, race and gender are often considered to be possible risk factors. The Mayo Clinic reports that black children are at a greater risk of developing the condition than Asians and Hispanics, and girls are more likely to develop Wilms' tumor than boys. The exact reason for such preponderances is not known.

    Tests and Diagnosis

    • Common diagnostic tests to detect the occurrence of Wilms' tumor and other kidney cancer forms in children include a physical examination and imaging tests such as ultrasound and MRI to detect abnormal cell division in the kidneys.

    Treatment Methods

    • Similar to most other cancer forms, no treatment is yet known which completely cures Wilms' tumor and other kidney cancer forms in children. Thus, doctors try to restrict the metastasis and proliferation of the cancer cells using surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Partial nephrectomy is one of the most common surgical methods in which the damaged portion of the kidney is surgically removed. In rare cases, complete nephrectomy is performed to control the growth of the cancer cells.

      Children at high danger of cancer redevelopment are frequently recommended treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation after surgery. Anti-cancer medicines are administered in chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells. Radiation use high-energy rays to kill the cancerous cells and prevent their spreading.

    Time Frame

    • The time frame for treatment methods generally varies, depending upon the spreading and growth of the cancer cells. Generally, chemotherapy is administered periodically for three to four months, and radiation method is administered four to five times a week for about one to two months.

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