Wilms Tumor in India: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Nephroblastoma Research
• Cancer Epidemiology in India

Background:

• Childhood cancer cure rates in India lag behind upper-middle-income countries.
• Limited data exists on the outcomes of childhood Wilms tumor (WT) in India.
• This review addresses disease trends, treatment, and outcomes for WT in India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and analyze data on childhood Wilms tumor in India.
• To assess disease characteristics, treatment strategies, and survival indicators.
• To identify factors influencing outcomes and propose strategies for improvement.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS databases.
• Inclusion of International Society of Pediatric Oncology conference abstracts.
• Extraction of data on Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma) from Indian studies.

Main Results:

• 17 studies with 1,170 patients were reviewed; 94% published post-2010.
• 46% of patients presented with advanced stage (III/IV) disease.
• Overall survival ranged from 48-89%; high non-relapse mortality (2.7-8.5%) was observed. Key prognostic factors included tumor volume, metastasis, and unfavorable histology.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of Indian children with WT present with advanced disease.
• Current survival rates for WT in India are modest, despite treatment efforts.
• Collaborative strategies focusing on early expert care access and social support are crucial for improving WT survival in India.