While renal cancer is not too common in children, there are a few cases of this. Also known as pediatric kidney cancer, the most common form of this cancer is Wilms’ tumor. Renal cancer affects children below the age of five. Certain rare types of kidney cancers that affect children include clear cell sarcoma, renal cell carcinoma, Ewing sarcoma, anaplastic sarcoma, and mesoblastic nephroma. As Wilms’ tumor is the most common form of renal cancer in children, let’s take a look at its causes, symptoms, and treatment methods:

1. Causes of renal cancer in children
The causes of renal cancer in children is mostly due to stem from certain genetic syndromes that put the child at an increased risk. These syndromes include:

• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
  Children may have larger-than-normal organs and limbs.
• Hemihypertrophy
  One side of the body is larger than the other.
• Denys-Drash syndrome
  Males do not develop proper genitalia and kidneys.
• WAGR syndrome
  The child’s iris, brain, and genital tracts are affected in their appearance and function. They may also have learning disabilities.

Some other causes of renal cancer include hereditary factors. Most children who develop Wilms’ tumor either have a parent or a close relative who has suffered from renal cancer before the age of 50.

2. Symptoms of renal cancer in children
Parents need to watch out for the following signs and symptoms to determine if their child might have developed a tumor of renal cancer.

• Swelling in the tummy that can indicate Wilms’ tumor
• Pain around the kidney and the stomach from a bleeding tumor
• High blood pressure
• Blood in the urine
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Difficulty in breathing
• Persistent cough

Wilms’ tumor usually consists of a painless lump. As a result, this condition is often detected much later on. If there is a family history of kidney cancer or kidney disease, do speak to your doctor about your child’s need for early screening.

3. Diagnosis and treatment of renal cancer in children
Renal cancer is diagnosed through the following tests:

• Physical examination to assess the presence of lumps or swelling
• Blood and urine tests
• Biopsy of the tumor, in which a part of or the whole tumor is removed and sent for analysis
• Imaging tests such as CT scans and ultrasounds

Common treatment methods for renal cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy includes Neoadjuvant therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant therapy is performed to shrink the tumor and facilitate its removal. Adjuvant chemotherapy, on the other hand, works to destroy the remaining cancer cells once the surgery is done. The type of chemotherapy depends on the condition of each individual.

In radiotherapy, high-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells. Radiation is used only if chemotherapy requires additional treatment.

Cancer treatments can have many side-effects. These side-effects include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness. The doctor may suggest many coping techniques for your child and may also advise counseling.