Abstract

AbstractRenal cell carcinoma in children possesses characteristics common to both the Wilms' tumor and to its counterpart in adults. Tumor incidence is equal in males and females, and in the right and the left kidneys. All races are affected. The most common symptoms are hematuria and abdominal mass. The classical triad of pain, hematuria, and mass occurs in only 14% of patients. Intravenous pyelogram almost always identifies abnormalities. Nonfunction is an ominous sign, often indicating renal vein involvement or extensive invasion of the collecting system. Nephrectomy, preferably with initial control of the renal vasculature, is mandatory. Adjunctive measures such as irradiation and chemotherapy may be helpful, but current experience with them is too limited to draw inferences. The increasingly frequent case reports of adenocarcinoma in the pediatric age range make it clear that this neoplasm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an abdominal mass in the child.