The treatment of advanced or recurrent malignant genitourinary tumors in children

Wilms' tumor, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and yolk sac tumor are the most frequently diagnosed malignant genitourinary tumors in children. The randomized therapeutic trials developed by the National Wilms' Tumor Study (NWTS) committee have produced significant improvements in the survival of Wilms' tumor patients. Those with Stage IV, favorable histology Wilms' tumor now have a 2-year survival rate of 87% to 93%. Patients with recurrent Wilms' tumor are being prospectively treated with new drugs and drug combinations with the goal of identifying active agents for inclusion in future therapeutic trials. Girls with localized embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the vagina have a 100% survival rate after treatment on the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) (IRS-1 or IRS-2). Primary treatment of patients with tumors of the prostate, bladder neck, or trigone with chemotherapy has demonstrated the need to establish local tumor control using surgery or radiation soon after diagnosis. The IRS-III currently is evaluating new drug combinations in this group of patients with locally advanced tumors. Patients with advanced yolk sac tumor have been treated using platinum-containing combination chemotherapy regimens with very encouraging results. Future research will evaluate the timing of second-look surgical procedures and the efficacy of etoposide-containing combination chemotherapy regimens.