[Tumor predisposition syndromes and nephroblastoma : Early diagnosis with imaging]

The Beckwith-Wiedemann spectrum (BWSp) as well as the WT1-related syndromes, Denys-Drash syndrome (DDS) and WAGR spectrum (Wilms tumor, Aniridia, genitourinary anomalies and a range of developmental delays) are tumor predisposition syndromes (TPS) of Wilms tumor (WT). Patients with associated TPS are at higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease and bilateral and metachronous tumors as well as nephrogenic rests.

Standard imaging diagnostics for WT include renal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the current renal tumor studies Umbrella SIOP-RTSG 2016 and Randomet 2017, thoracic computed tomography (CT) is also recommended as standard. Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT and whole-body MRI, on the other hand, are not part of routine diagnostics.

In recent publications, renal ultrasound is recommended every 3 months until the age of 7 years in cases of clinical suspicion or molecularly proven TPS.

Patients with TPS and regular renal ultrasounds have smaller tumor volumes and lower tumor stages at WT diagnosis than patients without such a screening. This allows a reduction of therapy intensity and facilitates the performance of nephron sparing surgery, which is prognostically relevant especially in bilateral WT.

Early diagnosis of WT in the context of TPS ensures the greatest possible preservation of healthy and functional renal tissue. Standardized screening by regular renal ultrasounds should therefore be firmly established in clinical practice.

The initial diagnosis of TPS is clinical and requires a skilled and attentive examiner in the presence of sometimes subtle clinical manifestations, especially in the case of BWSp. Clinical diagnosis should be followed by genetic testing, which should then be followed by sonographic screening.