What it means
The most common kidney cancer in children, usually found before age 5. It grows from immature kidney cells, most often in one kidney. It is often found as a smooth, firm, painless swelling in one side of the belly, noticed by a parent while bathing or dressing the child; some children also have blood in the urine or high blood pressure. It is named after Max Wilms, the German surgeon who described it. Treatment is surgery to remove the kidney, often with chemotherapy, and most children are cured.
For the nurse
Before surgery, do not press on or feel the child's abdomen, and post a sign over the bed: handling can break the tumor capsule and spread cancer cells. Bathe and lift the child carefully. After surgery, watch urine output and blood pressure, since only one kidney is left.
In a chart
"Do not palpate abdomen sign posted; family taught to handle child gently until surgery."
At a glance
| Also written | Wilms' tumor, Wilm's tumor, nephroblastoma |
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Related terms
antineoplastic
A drug used to treat cancer by killing cancer cells or stopping them from growing and dividing.
renal
Relating to the kidneys.
dactinomycin
An antitumor antibiotic chemotherapy drug given IV for childhood cancers such as Wilms tumor and some sarcomas.
neuroblastoma
A cancer that starts in immature nerve cells, most often in an adrenal gland, in young children.