Can nephroblastoma be inherited?

summary

Nephroblastoma is one of the most common malignant solid tumors in infants. This kind of tumor was first described by rance in 1814 and further described by Max Wilms in 1899. There are more than 80 names of this tumor in the literature, which reflects the complexity of the understanding of this tumor. Common names include renal mixed tumor, renal Embryoma and adenomyoma.

Can nephroblastoma be inherited?

Abdominal mass with progressive enlargement is the most common symptom, which is often found accidentally when dressing or bathing children. When the tumor is small, it has no obvious symptoms, does not affect the nutrition and health of children, and is easy to be ignored. When the tumor is huge, it can produce compression symptoms, such as shortness of breath, loss of appetite, weight loss, irritability and so on. The mass is located in one side of the upper abdomen, with smooth surface, moderate hardness and no tenderness. It can be slightly active in the early stage, and can cross the midline in a few cases after rapid enlargement.

Abdominal pain occurs in about one third of children, ranging from local discomfort, mild pain to colic and severe pain. If accompanied by fever, abdominal mass, anemia and hypertension, it often indicates subcapsular hemorrhage of nephroblastoma. There are few cases of acute abdomen secondary to intraperitoneal rupture of tumor.

Hypertension occurs in about 30% - 63% of cases, which may be caused by renal artery embolism or renal artery compression ischemia, resulting in renin production. Some authors believe that tumor cells can produce renin, which is similar to that of periglomus cell tumor, and generally returns to normal after tumor resection.

matters needing attention

Polycythemia is rare, which may be related to the production of erythropoietin (shalet, 1967). If combined with nephrotic syndrome, Wilms nephritis is formed. Sometimes it is complicated with varicocele, hernia, testicular enlargement, congenital heart failure, hypoglycemia, cortisol, acute renal failure.