Survival Rates for Wilms Tumors

How are survival rates measured for Wilms tumors?

For Wilms tumors, survival is often measured using a 4-year survival rate. This refers to the percentage of children who live at least 4 years after their cancer is diagnosed.

For example, a 4-year survival rate of 90% means that an estimated 90 out of 100 children who have that cancer are still alive 4 years after being diagnosed. Of course, many children live much longer than 4 years (and many are cured).

To get 4-year survival rates, doctors look at children who were treated at least 4 years ago. Improvements in treatment since then may result in a better outlook for children now being diagnosed with Wilms tumors.

Survival rates can’t predict for sure what will happen in a particular child’s case.

Each child’s outlook can vary based on factors specific to them. The most important factors in determining a child’s outlook are the stage and histology of the tumor. (Histology refers to how the cancer cells look under the microscope – see What Are Wilms Tumors?)

But other factors can also affect a child’s outlook, such as their age, if the cancer cells have certain gene or chromosome changes, and how well the tumor responds to treatment.

Even when taking these other factors into account, survival rates are only rough estimates. Your child’s cancer care team knows your child’s situation best. They can tell you how the numbers below might apply to your child.

Wilms tumor 4-year survival rates

These survival rates are based on the results of the National Wilms Tumor Studies. These studies included most of the children treated in the United States in the last few decades.

Wilms Tumor 4-year Survival Rates
Tumor Stage	Favorable Histology	Focal Anaplastic	Diffuse Anaplastic
I	95% - 100%	95% - 100%*	95% - 100%*
II	95% - 100%	80% - 85%*	80% - 85%*
III	90% - 100%	90% - 100%*	60% - 80%*
IV	90% - 100%	70% - 75%*	30% - 70%*
V	95% - 100%	95% - 100%	65% - 70%

*These rates are based on small numbers of patients, so it’s hard to know how accurate they are.