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Much of the research going on in the area of Wilms tumor is coordinated
by the Children's Oncology Group (COG), whose main goal is to improve
the treatment and quality of life of children with Wilms tumor and
other types of cancer. COG is a large group of doctors, nurses,
scientists, and other health professionals 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 continuing to unravel the mystery of how changes
in certain genes cause Wilms tumors. Because different genes seem to be
involved, this may have implications for how aggressive certain tumors
are likely to be.
As doctors have learned how to treat Wilms tumors more
effectively, they have begun to look for ways to determine which
children might be spared from more intensive treatment. In recent
years, studies have shown that Wilms tumors with certain changes on
chromosomes 1 or 16 seem to be more likely to recur after initial
treatment. This may prove to be useful in guiding development of future
treatment choices.
Treatment of Wilms tumors
Clinical trials continue to study ways to improve treatment
for children with Wilms tumors. Earlier studies identified treatments
that were very effective in curing Wilms tumors with the most favorable
histology. Current clinical trials are studying ways to treat these
cancers effectively while reducing side effects as much as possible.
For example, studies are looking at whether young children with very
favorable outlooks need any treatment other than surgery.
Many studies are looking to improve upon current chemotherapy
treatments. For example, recent studies from Europe suggest that in
some cases chemotherapy may not need to be continued as long as
previously thought.
The outlook for patients with Wilms tumors with anaplasia is
less optimistic, and the Children's Oncology Group is continuing to
study more intensive and more effective treatments for these children.
Newer chemotherapy drugs such as topotecan and drugs that affect a
tumor's blood supply such as bevacizumab are now under study.
Other studies are looking at bone marrow or peripheral blood
stem cell transplants, which allow doctors to give higher doses of
chemotherapy than the body could normally tolerate. This approach might
help treat tumors that would otherwise have a poor prognosis.
Last Medical Review: 02/05/2008
Last Revised: 05/14/2009
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