Does chemotherapy treat wilms tumour?

Wilms tumour, also called nephroblastoma, is a kidney cancer that mainly affects children. Chemotherapy medicines circulate through the body and may shrink the tumour before an operation or destroy cells after the tumour is removed. Surgery usually plays a central part in treatment, and the plan is adjusted according to tumour type, stage, kidney involvement and the findings from tissue testing.

Children receive care through a paediatric oncology team. Treatment can cause tiredness, nausea, reduced blood counts, hair loss and a greater risk of infection. The team monitors growth, kidney function, blood pressure and school or emotional needs throughout care.

Ask the team to explain the treatment schedule in terms your child can understand. Keep a record of medicines, temperatures and symptoms, and follow instructions about eating, drinking and activities. Tell the team about fever, reduced urine, pain, changes in hearing or any concern about mood, learning or daily functioning.

Contact the oncology team promptly if your child has a fever, chills, repeated vomiting, cannot drink, passes much less urine, develops unusual bleeding or becomes unusually sleepy. Emergency care is needed for severe breathing trouble, seizure, collapse or a rapidly worsening condition.

Will chemotherapy come before or after surgery? What does the tissue result show about risk? How will kidney function, blood pressure, growth and infection risk be monitored?