Wilms Tumor
Why choose us for Wilms tumor care?
Wilms tumor is a rare type of kidney cancer that mostly affects young children around the age of 3. At Mays Cancer Center, well-known pediatric experts specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of Wilms tumor.
Our multidisciplinary care approach is uncommon in South Texas. It ensures your child is well cared for by a team of cancer specialists (oncologists) close to home. We work together to personalize your child’s care using the latest therapies, which may include promising clinical trials for eligible patients. Wilms tumor treatment is part of our pediatric hematology-oncology program.
What you need to know about Wilms tumor
- Wilms tumor, also called nephroblastoma, usually affects young children under age 5, but it can also affect adults in rare cases. It is the most common type of childhood kidney cancer.
- In this type of kidney cancer, cancer cells typically develop inside one kidney. In some cases, cancer grows inside both kidneys.
- Children with specific genetic disorders, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome or Denys-Drash syndrome, or birth anomalies (like a missing iris in the eye) may be more likely to develop Wilms tumor.
- Our team includes pediatric oncologists and genetic counselors who can help assess your child’s risk of developing Wilms tumor. For some children, regular ultrasound screenings of the kidneys can help detect Wilms tumor in early stages, when treatment is most effective.