Do They Usually Remove The Entire Kidney With A Wilms Tumor?
Just wondering. I know they can remove it all or part of it. If one has one the size of a medium sized crescent shaped cantaloupe, with abdominal lymph node mets, would they remove the entire kidney?
well wisher - The three main types of Wilms' tumor treatment are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Before selecting a course of treatment or combination of treatments, doctors examine the tumor cells under a microscope and consider all test results to determine how widely the tumor has spread — a process called staging.
Surgery is typically the main treatment for Wilms' tumor Surgeons perform one of three different procedures, depending on child's tumor and stage:
* Radical nephrectomy - This involves removing the entire kidney and the tissues surrounding it, including the ureter that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. Surgeons also remove the adrenal gland, surrounding fatty tissues, and oftentimes nearby lymph nodes. The remaining kidney is left to continue filtering blood. * Simple Nephrectomy - This involves removing only the affected kidney, preserving the surrounding tissues. * Partial nephrectomy - This rarely used procedure involves removing the tumor and a section of the kidney surrounding the tumor. Children who have tumors in both kidneys may undergo this surgery.
Denisedds - They usually do a radical nephrectomy. I have never seen or known a partial nephrectomy to be done and I can't imagine any doctor doing so with lymph node involvement..
Jessica - Every case is different, but partial nephrectomies are not uncommon, especially in bi-lateral Wilms (affecting both kidneys). I believe the problem would be if the lymph nodes are affected, there is a concern that there are "rogue" cancer cells throughout the kidney and getting out into the bloodstream, and the best bet is to remove the entire kidney and the affected lymph nodes to have the best chance of getting most of the cells, especially if they don't show up on a scan. the rest are attacked by chemo/radiation. the cancer team will determine what they think is the best course, and then discuss the options to you. no question is stupid, so make sure to ask them if you are uncomfortable with the plan or options.
I am a 33-year Wilms' survivor with a very similar situation as you are describing. I don't have a right kidney, but have had a wonderful and full life with one kidney. there are resources, groups, education, and support if you need and want it.
I'm sure you have done this, but there are a lot of resources that give you information about Wilms. I put them in the sources section of the post. The cancer.gov site has some very specific information with the different variables that can occur with Wilms'.
Just wondering.
well wisher - The three main types of Wilms' tumor treatment are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Before selecting a course of treatment or combination of treatments, doctors examine the tumor cells under a microscope and consider all test results to determine how widely the tumor has spread — a process called staging.
ReplyDeleteSurgery is typically the main treatment for Wilms' tumor Surgeons perform one of three different procedures, depending on child's tumor and stage:
* Radical nephrectomy - This involves removing the entire kidney and the tissues surrounding it, including the ureter that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. Surgeons also remove the adrenal gland, surrounding fatty tissues, and oftentimes nearby lymph nodes. The remaining kidney is left to continue filtering blood.
* Simple Nephrectomy - This involves removing only the affected kidney, preserving the surrounding tissues.
* Partial nephrectomy - This rarely used procedure involves removing the tumor and a section of the kidney surrounding the tumor. Children who have tumors in both kidneys may undergo this surgery.
Denisedds - They usually do a radical nephrectomy.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen or known a partial nephrectomy to be done and I can't imagine any doctor doing so with lymph node involvement..
Jessica - Every case is different, but partial nephrectomies are not uncommon, especially in bi-lateral Wilms (affecting both kidneys). I believe the problem would be if the lymph nodes are affected, there is a concern that there are "rogue" cancer cells throughout the kidney and getting out into the bloodstream, and the best bet is to remove the entire kidney and the affected lymph nodes to have the best chance of getting most of the cells, especially if they don't show up on a scan. the rest are attacked by chemo/radiation. the cancer team will determine what they think is the best course, and then discuss the options to you. no question is stupid, so make sure to ask them if you are uncomfortable with the plan or options.
ReplyDeleteI am a 33-year Wilms' survivor with a very similar situation as you are describing. I don't have a right kidney, but have had a wonderful and full life with one kidney. there are resources, groups, education, and support if you need and want it.
I'm sure you have done this, but there are a lot of resources that give you information about Wilms. I put them in the sources section of the post. The cancer.gov site has some very specific information with the different variables that can occur with Wilms'.
Let me know if I can help in any way.