Treatment of Wilm's Tumor

http://medimoon.com/2012/08/chemotherapy-could-sustain-tumour-growth-and-produce-resistance-for-further-treatment/

Following the surgical removal of the affected organ(s), the child will also be stated on a chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherapy is a cocktail of powerful drugs designed to target and kill cancer cells.  In cases where both kidneys are affected, or the tumor has spread to distant areas of the body, chemotherapy is administered prior to surgery in an attempt to shrink the tumors present throughout the body, making surgical removal easier.  

Although there are two different treatments available for Wilm’s tumor, they are almost always used in conjunction. The treatments are compared in the table below.

	Surgery	Chemotherapy
Duration of treatment	Single day	Several months *duration depends on stage and histology
Route treatment administered	Incision at site of tumor	Administered through central catheter inserted in the heart and delivered systemically
Side effects	Variable	Numerous

In rare cases, radiation treatment is also administered in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy.

http://www.benaroberts.com/2014/04/common-side-effects-of-chemotherapy-on-the-body.html

The side effects of Wilm’s Tumor treatment will come primarily from the chemotherapy drugs. Side effects from chemotherapy include: nausea, vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite, mouth sores, gastrointestinal disturbances, decreased energy, increased chance of infection, increased bruising, low platelets, low hemoglobin, and low ANC (absolute neutrophil count). The side effects from chemotherapy arise as a result of the fact that chemo targets cells in the body that are rapidly dividing. Although cancer cells fall into this category, so do many other cells including the cells in the GI tract, hair follicles, and bone marrow. Although the side effects of chemo can be numerous, there are many medications that will be administered with the chemotherapy to help mask the side effects.

Side Effect	Response
Nausea / vomiting	Administer anti-nausea medication
Mouth sores	Sodium bicarbonate rinses & pain management
Infection	Administer antibiotics (if present), avoid large crowds (to avoid risk of infection)
Low platelets/ blood cells	Administer blood transfusion

For more information, go to:

•        American Cancer Society - http://www.cancer.org/cancer/wilmstumor/detailedguide/wilms-tumor-treating-chemotherapy & http://www.cancer.org/cancer/wilmstumor/detailedguide/wilms-tumor-treating-by-stage
•       Mayo Clinic - http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wilms-tumor/basics/treatment/con-20043492
•       St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital - http://www.stjude.org/wilms-tumor

Sources:

Chemotherapy for Wilms tumors. (2013, September 17). Retrieved February 14, 2015, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/wilmstumor/detailedguide/wilms-tumor-treating-chemotherapy

Treatment by type and stage of Wilms tumor. (2013, September 17). Retrieved February 14, 2015, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/wilmstumor/detailedguide/wilms-tumor-treating-by-stage

Wilms' tumor. (2015, January 1). Retrieved February 14, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wilms-tumor/basics/treatment/con-20043492

Wilms Tumor. (2015, January 1). Retrieved February 14, 2015, from http://www.stjude.org/wilms-tumor