Kidney Tumors
Treatment
First we have to stage the tumor, which means we evaluate where it started growing and how far it has spread throughout the body. Kidney tumors are typically categorized into five stages. Wilms' tumor, the most common type of pediatric kidney tumor, is staged as follows by the National Wilms Tumor Study Group (NWTSG ):
- Stage I – The tumor is limited to the kidney and is able to be completely removed surgically.
- Stage II – The tumor extends beyond the kidney but is able to be completely removed surgically.
- Stage III – The tumor is not able to be completely removed surgically or is spilled at surgery, but disease is still limited to the abdomen.
- Stage IV – The disease has spread from the abdomen through the bloodstream and may be found in the lung, liver, bone, or brain as well as distant lymph nodes.
- Stage V – The tumor is found on both kidneys at the time of diagnosis.
Surgical removal of the tumor plays a major role in the treatment of kidney tumors. The tumor may be partially or fully removed, depending its size and location.
Other treatments your child may receive include:
- Chemotherapy – a drug treatment that works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Chemotherapy is systemic treatment, meaning it is introduced to the bloodstream and travels throughout the body to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given orally or by injection.
- Radiation therapy – using high-energy rays (radiation) from a specialized machine to damage or kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
- Stem cell transplantation – Autologous stem cell transplantation may be recommended for children with relapsed Wilms' tumor.
During these treatments, your child will also undergo and have access to:
- blood pressure monitoring
- supportive care to prevent and treat infections, side effects of treatments, and complications
