Wilms Tumor in Adolescence

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Abstract
A review of the literature reveals that Wilms tumor is rare in adolescence. At the time of diagnosis 78% of children are less than 5 yr old. Of 17 cases of Wilms tumor seen at the Ontario Cancer Foundation Clinic in Kingston from 1973 to 1975, 3 children were between 16 and 17 yr old. Of 316 cases registered in Ontario [Canada] with the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation only 5 were in the 15-19 yr age group. The possibility of Wilms tumor in patients beyond the usual age group is not considered as a differential diagnosis because of its relative rarity. Patients may present with features suggestive of neuroblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, hydronephrosis, cholecystitis, appendicitis and twisted ovarian cyst as seen in these 3 patients. In comparison, a review of 84 reported cases of renal cell carcinoma in children from 1934-1974 showed 5 cases in the 15-18 yr age group.