Bone metastases in Wilms' tumour

In a series of 81 patients with a diagnosis of Wilms' tumour seen at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, between 1960-1972, two patients developed histologically proven bone metastases. In one patient a lump on the head was the presenting symptom of his Wilms' tumour. In the second patient an isolated metastasis developed in the iliac bone 2 3/4 years after complete removal of an encapsulated Wilms' tumour. The bone lesion was outside the previously irradiated volume. Response to treatment was poor and both patients died with further widespread disease. A review of other series confirms the low incidence of bone metastases from Wilms' tumour and the poor prognosis of this complication. This contrasts with a high incidence of pulmonary metastases in which the response to treatment and subsequent survival is good. The value of skeletal surveys and scans in detecting this relatively rare site of metastases from Wilms' tumour is discussed.