The truth about Wilm’s Tumour

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi’s four-year-old son Ayaan was recently diagnosed with Stage 1 of Wilm’s Tumour — the most common type of cancer that affects children. In India, statistics point to one out of 10,000 children suffering from this kind of tumour. The good news is that this cancer is completely treatable not just in the first stage, but in the advanced stages as well. For complete recovery, oncologists recommend following a proper cycle of treatment coupled with a positive attitude by parents, as children undergo tedious chemotherapy sessions.

What exactly is Wilm’s Tumour?
Wilm’s Tumour is the most common type of primary kidney tumour, which arises from embryonic rests of an immature kidney, and these are round cells that tend to become malignant. It accounts for 6 per  cent of all childhood cancers and is found in the age group of 1 to 4 years, with 80 per cent of cases being diagnosed during the peak incidence of 3 to 4 years.

Wilm’s can be genetic at times
Genes WT1 and WT2 are responsible for the tumour which, in 12 to 15 per cent of the cases, is caused by congenital anomalies. It can also run in families that are associated with chromosomal alterations. It may not necessarily affect every child in the family and can skip generations. Oncologists cite the cases of patients who were operated on for Wilm’s Tumour in childhood and grew up to have children who also developed the tumour and were treated successfully as well.

Dr Mohana Vamsy, Oncologist at Omega Hospitals, says, “The follow-up check-ups after treatment are very important, and the first five-year period requires diligent follow-up. After five years, it can be an annual check-up. The success rate of medicines is very high and most of the patients are cured.”

‘Early diagnosIs is the key’

Children with Wilm’s Tumour have a small lump around the kidney area and swelling in the abdomen. They also experience a lot of abdominal pain, blood in the urine, and fever. When these symptoms are brought to the notice of the mother or care-giver, medical help must be sought immediately. In 20 per cent of the cases, the children also develop hypertension. Some children also suffer mental retardation along with Wilm’s Tumour, as a part of the syndrome. Dr T. Subramanyeshwar Rao, director and chief surgical oncologist, Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital, points out, “The earlier the diagnosis, the better are the chances of recovery. When identified in Stage 1, it means that the tumour is confined to the kidneys and there are no other risk factors. The cure rates are good and such patients require treatment for 18 weeks only with chemotherapy and surgery. In fact, it is found that children handle chemotherapy much better than adults as they are innocent and don’t understand what they are going through.”

‘Parents need to stay strong’

When a child is detected with having Wilm’s Tumour, the role of the parents is crucial during and after the treatment. Most parents tend to break down as they can’t handle watching their young children undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. That is why oncologists focus on counselling parents. Dr M. Babaiah, medical director at the American Institute of Oncology, explains, “Parents need to be counselled and familiarised with the side-effects of the treatment. If the disease is confined to the kidneys, then the recovery is quicker as compared to when it spreads to other parts of the body like the lungs, bones etc. We often see parents become highly stressed and disturbed psychologically and financially. So we ask them to rise to the occasion to take care of their children. We tell them that the side-effects of chemotherapy are not life-threatening and new research has introduced several drugs to control the possible side-effects.”