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Nephroblastoma in infants, 1969-75: variations in treatment and survival
Insights
Nephroblastoma (kidney cancer) in infants under 1 year old showed high survival rates with nephrectomy and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was not always necessary for early-stage tumors, with some cases cured by surgery alone.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Nephroblastoma, a common kidney cancer in infants, requires effective treatment strategies.
- Understanding treatment outcomes is crucial for improving survival rates in young patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the survival rates and treatment efficacy for infants diagnosed with nephroblastoma.
- To determine the impact of different treatment modalities (nephrectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) on outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 79 infants under 1 year old diagnosed with nephroblastoma between 1969-1975.
- All patients underwent nephrectomy; treatment groups included those receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
Main Results:
- Overall three-year survival rate was 65% for patients surviving at least one week post-diagnosis.
- Stage I tumors had a 76% survival rate.
- Survival was significantly higher for early-stage tumors treated with nephrectomy and chemotherapy alone compared to those including radiotherapy.
Conclusions:
- Nephrectomy combined with chemotherapy can be sufficient treatment for many infants with nephroblastoma.
- In some cases, nephrectomy alone may be adequate for cure.
- Infants under one year old generally tolerate chemotherapy well.
Abstract:
In a series of 79 infants aged under 1 year with nephroblastoma diagnosed during 1969-75 all the patients underwent nephrectomy, 33 (42%) received a course of radiotherapy, and 49 (62%) received chemotherapy. The overall three-year survival rate for patients who survived at least one week after diagnosis was 65%. The corresponding rate for infants with stage I tumours was 76%. The survival rate in children with early-stage tumours was significantly higher in those who were treated by nephrectomy and chemotherapy alone compared with those who also received radiotherapy. In a large proportion of cases nephrectomy and chemotherapy together constituted sufficient treatment for the cure of infants with nephroblastoma, and in some instances nephrectomy alone proved adequate. There was no general tendency for children under 1 year old to be unable to withstand chemotherapy.