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Much of the research going on in the area of Wilms tumor is
being done through the Children's Oncology Group (COG). The group
includes doctors, nurses, and scientists whose hard work has already
saved the lives of thousands of children with Wilms tumor. Ask your
child's doctor if he or she works with this group.
Biology of Wilms tumors
Research is going on to figure out how changes in certain
genes cause Wilms tumors and why tumors with unfavorable histology do
not respond well to treatment. As doctors have learned how to treat
Wilms tumors better, they have begun to look for ways to figure out
which children might be spared from more intensive treatment.
They are also looking to for ways to identify children who
might need stronger treatment to be cured. In recent years, studies
have shown that Wilms tumors with certain changes on chromosomes 1 or
16 seem to be more likely to come back after treatment. Doctors are now
looking at whether children with such tumors might be helped by more
intense treatment.
Treatment of Wilms tumors
Clinical trials are also going on to improve treatment for
children with Wilms tumor with fewer side effects. The goal is to give
children no more treatment than is needed.
Recent studies suggest, for instance, that in some cases chemo
may not need to be given as long as was thought before. New drugs are
being studied and other studies are looking at bone marrow transplants,
which allow doctors to give high doses of chemo. This approach might
help treat tumors that would otherwise have a poor outlook.
Last Medical Review: 10/07/2009 Last Revised: 10/07/2009
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