Treatment of nephroblastoma (Wilms tumor) abroad

The outcome for a patient diagnosed with nephroblastoma is determined by several significant factors at once:

● Age.
● Histological features of the tumor (determined by the results of an examination of the tissues of the removed kidney).
● Stage of oncological disease.

The early detection of cancer and timely initiation of treatment can achieve recovery in 85-95% of cases. When the tumor spreads from the kidney to the surrounding tissues, the probability of no recurrence is reduced to 60%.

Often, a neoplasm is detected by chance, when a round, soft-elastic formation in the abdomen is found in a healthy child. The germination of a malignant node in the pyelocaliceal system of the kidney can cause hematuria (the appearance of a visible admixture of blood in the urine). Compression of soft tissues by an increasing tumor leads to the addition of abdominal pain and disruption of the intestines. In the advanced stage, in addition to local ones, general symptoms characteristic of oncological diseases can also be observed: fatigue, sweating, persistent fever, and weight loss.

A favorable prognosis for nephroblastoma is possible if the child is immediately prescribed a full-fledged complex treatment. Among the most effective methods of fighting the tumor include surgical removal of the main node and metastases, radiation and chemotherapy.

Surgical treatment

A biopsy of nephroblastoma is not performed due to the high risk of cancer cells spreading throughout the body during medical procedures. The cancerous node is removed along with the affected kidney, surrounding tissues and regional lymph nodes. Large metastatic foci in the lungs and liver are removed within healthy tissues with maximum preservation of these organs. If metastases are in the phase of active growth, surgery to eliminate them is indicated only after a course of chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapeutic drugs (Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Dactinomycin, Carboplatin, etc.) are prescribed in courses before and after surgical removal of the main tumor node and metastatic foci.

In cases where an unfavorable histological type of nephroblastoma is detected in a sick child, there are not completely removed or inoperable metastases and chemotherapy is prescribed simultaneously with radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy

It is carried out in cases:
● remission was not achieved after surgery and chemotherapy;
● there is a high risk of intra-abdominal metastases;
● after surgical removal and chemotherapy, metastatic foci in the lungs reappeared.
The volume of radiation therapy performed is determined on an individual basis, depending on the previously prescribed treatment and its effectiveness.

Oncologists in our domestic clinics do everything possible for their little patients. However, their opportunities are limited for a number of reasons, the main of which is insufficient funding for health care. In this regard, it is advisable to consider foreign clinics that have no problems with the purchase of the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment, and the introduction of innovative, high-tech methods of therapy.

Here are three medical centers whose specialists can be safely entrusted with the life and health of a child with nephroblastoma:

● Ichilov Clinic (Tel Aviv, Israel). There is a well-coordinated team of oncologists, nephrologists, oncohematologists, resuscitators and other specialists who can help the child cope with the disease.

● Memorial Clinic (Ankara, Turkey). The clinic has an excellent pediatric oncologist Professor Ahmet Demir who has good treatment results. Also, the medical center Acbadem replaces equipment every 5 years, due to which the diagnosis and treatment of tumors, including intracranial metastases, are carried out as efficiently and carefully as possible.

Organizing a trip to a foreign clinic may seem like a complicated matter, requiring knowledge of a lot of nuances. It is much better and easier to leave this part of the work to Experts Medical specialists who will help resolve all issues that arise both at the stage of planning a trip and upon arrival at the place.