Wilms Tumor Research Paper
Wilms Tumor a Childs Cancer
Causes
• Cancer is caused by a mutated (change) gene cell.
• Cells in the fetus (baby) do not mature in the kidneys.
• Small or large clusters of these kidney cells remain when the baby is born and will mature by the child’s age of three or four. If the cells do not mature they can grow out of control causing Wilms Tumor.
• Wilms Tumor has also been linked to birth defects called syndromes. Syndromes are a group of systems linked to certain changes within the genes that could be missing or only have a half and be the cause of Wilms Tumor.
Risks
• The risk factor for Wilms Tumor cannot be controlled they are genetic (hereditary, inherited) from an abnormal gene from a parent. Because of how Wilms Tumor
is caused there is no prevention that can be done.
• A child born with a syndrome or birth defect chances are higher and should be tested.
Detention and Diagnosis
• Swelling in the belly.
• Ultrasound uses sound waves and a computer to see inside the stomach.
• No blood tests or other test are available that can detect Wilms Tumor in healthy children.
• A child born with syndromes or birth defects should have their kidneys tested by ultrasound every three months until the age seven to catch tumors early before it spreads to other organs.
Treatment
• Surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation. If the child needs chemotherapy or radiation the child will stay in the hospital.
Side Effects
• Nauseas, vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Pain in the arms, legs, and jaw.
• Hair loss
• Increased chance of infections (white blood cell count down).
Support Group
• I Can Cope – 1-800-227-2345
Reference
American Cancer Society. (2010). Wilms Tumor. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org
Clip Art. (2010). Microsoft word. Retrieved on August 5, 2010
Causes
• Cancer is caused by a mutated (change) gene cell.
• Cells in the fetus (baby) do not mature in the kidneys.
• Small or large clusters of these kidney cells remain when the baby is born and will mature by the child’s age of three or four. If the cells do not mature they can grow out of control causing Wilms Tumor.
• Wilms Tumor has also been linked to birth defects called syndromes. Syndromes are a group of systems linked to certain changes within the genes that could be missing or only have a half and be the cause of Wilms Tumor.
Risks
• The risk factor for Wilms Tumor cannot be controlled they are genetic (hereditary, inherited) from an abnormal gene from a parent. Because of how Wilms Tumor
is caused there is no prevention that can be done.
• A child born with a syndrome or birth defect chances are higher and should be tested.
Detention and Diagnosis
• Swelling in the belly.
• Ultrasound uses sound waves and a computer to see inside the stomach.
• No blood tests or other test are available that can detect Wilms Tumor in healthy children.
• A child born with syndromes or birth defects should have their kidneys tested by ultrasound every three months until the age seven to catch tumors early before it spreads to other organs.
Treatment
• Surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation. If the child needs chemotherapy or radiation the child will stay in the hospital.
Side Effects
• Nauseas, vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Pain in the arms, legs, and jaw.
• Hair loss
• Increased chance of infections (white blood cell count down).
Support Group
• I Can Cope – 1-800-227-2345
Reference
American Cancer Society. (2010). Wilms Tumor. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org
Clip Art. (2010). Microsoft word. Retrieved on August 5, 2010