What are the effects and signs?
The most common feature of Wilms tumour is an abdominal mass or abdominal swelling noticed by the parents or the child. It is usually painless. Occasionally bleeding within the tumour may lead to loin pain. More rarely the tumour may cause high blood pressure, high temperatures, blood in the urine (haematuria) and even more rarely anaemia – low blood count.
Indicators of severe functional restriction
These indicators of severe functional restriction identify the children who are most likely to undergo prolonged treatment:
- The child has bilateral Wilms tumour (stage 5).
- The tumour has spread to other parts of the body such as the lung (stage 4).
- The child is having radiotherapy as part of their treatment.
- The child is in the ‘high risk group’.
- Recurrent disease - Wilms tumour has returned after treatment and further treatment is planned/ongoing.
