$Unique_ID{BRK00259}
$Pretitle{
Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases
Genitourinary System}
$Title{What is a Wilm's Tumor?}
$Subject{kidney Wilm's tumor cancer children}
$Volume{N-16, J-16}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is a Wilm's Tumor?


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QUESTION:  We are devastated.  The daughter of a close friend has been
diagnosed as having a Wilm's tumor.  We think this is a fatal disease but do
not wish to discuss it with the parents.  Can you give us some information?

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ANSWER:  Wilm's tumor is the single most common cancer of the kidney in
children.  There are no special symptoms to alert the parents or child,
although a common sign is swelling of the abdomen or a lump that can be felt
in this area.  Blood appears in about 25% of children afflicted with the
disease, but sometimes the quantity of blood is so little as to go unnoticed.
The disease can cause anyone or all of the common symptoms of cancer, weight
loss, anemia, fatigue or low grade fever.  It takes a good physical
examination to put the doctor on the right tract, but usually a battery of
special x-ray tests will be necessary before the diagnosis is made.  But there
is some really good news for you.  Treatment, which may combine radiation
therapy with anticancer drugs can achieve a long-term disease free status (the
equivalent of a cure) in more than 8 out of 10 young patients, and there are
also newly developed surgical procedures which may now be used in children and
infants that add to the chances of success.  While side effects from these
treatments can be expected the successful outcome makes it all worth while.
If you desire even more information than I can supply you here, you could call
the Cancer Information Service 1-800-4-CANCER and obtain more information and
even a publication or two.  With all this knowledge I am sure you can offer
important support for your friends, the parents of this child.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
