Wilms’ tumor is a rare form of kidney cancer that is primarily diagnosed in children before the age of five years old. Thanks to recent medical advancements and doctors who specialize in treating such rare forms of children’s cancer, kids with this disease can have a good prognosis for a cure. While some children with Wilms’ tumor do not have any symptoms, others will display fever, abdominal swelling and pain, and possibly blood in their urine (hematuria). The cause of this type of cancer is not known, but African American children and children who have a family member who has had Wilms’ tumor are at greater risk for developing the condition, as are those born with certain abnormalities such as undescended testicles, hypospadias and eye irregularities. This type of tumor is also associated with such rare diagnoses as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Denys-Drash syndrome and WAGR syndrome. The primary treatments for Wilms’ tumor are surgery to remove all or part of the affected kidney(s) and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy and clinical trials are also potential treatments.
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