Treatments for stage 2 Wilms tumour

The following are treatment options for stage 2 Wilms tumour. The healthcare team will suggest treatments based on the type of Wilms tumour (whether the tumour has favourable or anaplastic histology) and your childʼs needs. They will work with you to develop a treatment plan.

Surgery is the main treatment for stage 2 Wilms tumour. The most common surgery used is a radical nephrectomy. A radical nephrectomy removes the whole kidney along with nearby structures. Lymph nodes near the kidney are also removed. Depending on the histology of the tumour, chemotherapy may be given alone or with radiation therapy after surgery.

Find out more about surgery for Wilms tumour.

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is given after surgery for stage 2 Wilms tumour. For tumours with anaplastic histology, chemotherapy is given with radiation therapy. The chemotherapy drugs used depend on the type of tumour.

Favourable histology tumours are treated with vincristine and dactinomycin. Chemotherapy is given for 21 weeks (7 cycles) after surgery.

Favourable histology tumours with chromosome changes may be treated with vincristine, dactinomycin and doxorubicin for 27 weeks (9 cycles) after surgery.

Focal anaplastic tumours are treated with vincristine, doxorubicin and dactinomycin. These drugs are given for 27 weeks (9 cycles) after surgery.

Diffuse anaplastic tumours are treated with vincristine, doxorubicin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide and carboplatin for up to 42 weeks (14 cycles) after surgery.

When cyclophosphamide is used, the drug mesna may also be given. Mesna helps protect the bladder from irritation from cyclophosphamide.

Find out more about chemotherapy for Wilms tumour.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy to the abdomen is given as part of treatment for focal and diffuse anaplastic stage 2 Wilms tumour. It is directed to the area where the kidney was removed with surgery or to the entire abdomen. Radiation therapy is given at the same time as chemotherapy.

Find out more about radiation therapy for Wilms tumour.

Children with cancer may be treated in a clinical trial. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, find and treat cancer. Find out more about clinical trials.