Musculoskeletal deformities following treatment of Wilms' tumour

Wilms' tumour is one of the most common neoplasms of infancy and childhood. Current treatment regimens result in a cure rate of about 80% for localized tumours but may also cause musculoskeletal deformities. Assessment of 21 patients previously treated for Wilms' tumour showed that all had flank atrophy on the treated side. Radiologic abnormalities included asymmetry of vertebral bodies, vertebral end-plate irregularities, scoliosis, kyphosis, platyspondyly and hypoplasia of the ilium. Although the vertebral changes following radiotherapy for Wilms' tumour are present from an early age and the potential is great for an increase in spinal deformity with growth, few spinal curves progress past 20 degree. Since one cannot predict which curves will progress, all such patients need careful orthopedic follow-up until skeletal maturity is achieved.