Symptoms of Wilms tumor
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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The most frequent, and sometimes the only, symptom of a Wilms tumor is a palpable or visualized volumetric abdominal cavity formation. Unlike neuroblastoma, only 20% of patients with nephroblastoma complain of abdominal pain, usually associated with a hemorrhage in the tumor. In rare cases, the first manifestation of the disease becomes the syndrome of "acute abdomen", which is caused by rupture of the tumor. Hematuria is found in 15% of patients, more often with microscopic examination. Hypertension is detected in approximately 25% of patients, it is mainly due to increased production of tumor cells of renin, to a lesser extent - compression of the renal vessels. Sometimes there is polycythemia, while the concentration in the blood erythropoietin may be elevated or remain within normal limits. Polycythemia is more often observed in older boys with a low clinical stage of the disease. All children with polycythemia should be examined to exclude Wilms tumor.
Sometimes in patients with Wilms' tumor, secondary von Willebrand disease is identified. If it is confirmed by clinical and laboratory studies, corrections must be made to the treatment. Acquired secondary vWD disease is cured with adequate treatment of Wilms tumor.