[Relapses in children with nephroblastoma--a single centre experience]

The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of relapse and outcome of treatment in children with nephroblastoma relapse.

In the years 1989-2002 at our centre 67 children were treated for nephroblastoma. Patients were divided into two subgroups. Group I comprised 25 children treated in accordance with the SIOP-9 programme, whilst group II consisted of 42 patients following the SIOP 93-01 protocol.

In group I, five children had relapse diagnosed: local in 2, pulmonary in 2 and cerebral in one case. Two of the cases were diagnosed during the treatment, and the other 3 after 1 to 19 months from the completion of treatment. In group II relapse was diagnosed in 4 children: local in 2 and pulmonary in 2 cases. One case was diagnosed while on treatment, and the other 3 were diagnosed 1,2 and 4 months after completion of treatment. Among the children who followed the SIOP-9 programme three patients died, while among those following SIOP 93-01 two patients died.

The prognosis in patients who relapsed remains uncertain. The histological type of tumour and the moment of relapse occurrence are significant prognostic factors.