Medical expert of the article
New publications
Symptoms of Wilms' tumor
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The most common, and sometimes the only, symptom of Wilms tumor is a palpable or visualized abdominal mass. Unlike neuroblastoma, only 20% of patients with nephroblastoma complain of abdominal pain, usually associated with hemorrhage into the tumor. In rare cases, the first manifestation of the disease is the "acute abdomen" syndrome, which is caused by a ruptured tumor. Hematuria is detected in 15% of patients, most often during microscopic examination. Hypertension is detected in approximately 25% of patients, it is caused mainly by increased production of renin by tumor cells, and to a lesser extent by compression of the renal vessels. Polycythemia sometimes occurs, while the concentration of erythropoiesis in the blood may be elevated or remain within the normal range. Polycythemia is more often observed in older boys at a low clinical stage of the disease. All children with polycythemia should be examined to exclude Wilms tumor.
Sometimes secondary von Willebrand disease is detected in patients with Wilms tumor. If it is confirmed by clinical and laboratory studies, adjustments must be made to the treatment. Acquired secondary von Willebrand disease is curable with adequate treatment of Wilms tumor.