Wilms Tumor

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Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention TOPICS

Can Wilms tumor be prevented?


The only known risk factors for Wilms tumors (age, race, gender, and certain inherited conditions) can’t be changed. There are no known lifestyle-related or environmental causes of Wilms tumors, so at this time there is no way to protect against most of these cancers. Experts think these cancers come from cells that were in the fetus but failed to develop into mature kidney cells. This doesn’t seem to be caused by anything a mother could avoid during pregnancy.

In some very rare cases, such as in children with Denys-Drash syndrome who are almost certain to develop Wilms tumors, doctors may recommend removing the kidneys at a very young age (with a donor kidney transplant later on) to prevent tumors from developing.

Last Medical Review: 03/06/2015
Last Revised: 03/19/2015