Wilms' tumor overview
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Wilms' tumor Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Wilms' tumor overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Wilms' tumor overview |
Overview
Wilms' tumor or nephroblastoma is a tumor of the kidneys that typically occurs in children, rarely in adults. Its common name is an eponym, referring to Dr. Max Wilms, the German surgeon (1867-1918) who first described this kind of tumor.[1]
Approximately 500 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. annually. The majority (75%) occur in otherwise normal children; a minority (25%) is associated with other developmental abnormalities. It is highly responsive to treatment, with about 90% of patients surviving at least five years.