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Symptoms of Wilms' tumor

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
 
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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.

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