Treatments for various types of childhood cancers evolve and improve over time. The treatments described in this chapter were the ones most commonly used (called standard treatments) when this book was being written. You can learn about the newest treatments available by calling (800) 422-6237 and asking for the PDQ (physician data query) for childhood kidney tumors. This free information, also available online at www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/pediatrictreatment (scroll down to “Kidney tumors of childhood, Wilms tumor and other”) explains the disease, state-of-the-art treatments, and ongoing clinical trials. Two versions are available:

•  One for families—uses simple language and contains no statistics; and

•  One for professionals—is technical, thorough, and includes citations to scientific literature.

To learn about current Phase III clinical trials for kidney cancers in children, visit the National Cancer Institute’s website www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search and choose the type of kidney cancer in the “Cancer type/condition” box and choose Phase III in the “Trial status/phase” box. Then click the red “Search” button at the bottom of the page.

I had Wilms tumor in 1962 when I was 2 years old. I had one kidney removed, then radiation and chemotherapy. I recovered and had a perfectly normal childhood. Other than not wearing bikinis because of the big scar right around my waist, it didn’t affect me much. I played hockey, basketball, and other contact sports without problems. I have no late effects from the treatment other than slight curvature of the spine and a few less pockets of fat on the side they irradiated. They told me that one of my fallopian tubes was damaged, but I have had three sons, all over seven pounds. My childhood cancer experiences created a deep fascination with medicine, and I am now a nurse.