Wilms' tumour: a 30 year experience at Wellington Hospital

Over the 30 year period from 1958-88, 20 cases of Wilms' tumour have been treated at Wellington Hospital. All eight patients presenting prior to 1976 have died. The 12 patients presenting after 1976 were treated according to the guidelines of the National Wilms' Tumour Study Group and ten of these are alive (mean follow up seven years). Four of the patients received preoperative chemotherapy and this was found to facilitate surgical removal of the tumour. The concept of partial nephrectomy in the management of Wilms' tumour is discussed. Retrospective analysis of this series has shown that this would have been a feasible management option in four of the cases reviewed.