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Offspring of patients treated for unilateral Wilms' tumor in childhood
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Wilms tumor survivors
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Reproductive Health
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Wilms tumor is a rare kidney cancer primarily affecting children.
- Survivors of Wilms tumor may face long-term health consequences, including reproductive risks.
- Understanding the impact of childhood cancer treatments on offspring is crucial for long-term patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reproductive outcomes of women treated for unilateral Wilms tumor in childhood.
- To assess the health and development of offspring born to Wilms tumor survivors and their partners.
- To investigate the potential effects of abdominal irradiation on pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of offspring from Wilms tumor survivors.
- Comparison of outcomes between irradiated and unirradiated mothers.
- Data collection on birth weight, perinatal mortality, congenital malformations, and spontaneous abortions.
Main Results:
- Offspring born to mothers who received abdominal irradiation had a higher incidence of low birth weight (10/33) and perinatal death (3/33).
- Offspring of unirradiated mothers or wives of male survivors showed normal birth weight and no deaths.
- No increased frequency of congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions, or secondary cancers in offspring was observed.
Conclusions:
- The risk of Wilms tumor in offspring of survivors of nonfamilial, unilateral lesions is low.
- Abdominal irradiation in childhood Wilms tumor survivors may increase the risk of delivering low birth weight infants.
- Long-term reproductive counseling for Wilms tumor survivors is recommended, particularly those who received abdominal irradiation.
Abstract:
Twenty-seven women and the wives of nine men who survived unilateral Wilms' tumor in childhood had a total of 59 live born offspring. Among the 33 infants born to women who had received orthovoltage abdominal irradiation, ten weighed less than 2500 g at birth and three died during the perinatal period. In addition, one term infant of normal weight died of complications of a breech delivery. Only one of 26 infants born to the wives of Wilms' tumor patients and unirradiated female patients weighed less than 2500 g at birth and none died. The frequency of congenital malformations and spontaneous abortions in this series was not increased, and no offspring has developed cancer. The findings suggest that the risk of Wilms' tumor is low among progeny of survivors of nonfamilial, unilateral lesions. Damage from abdominal irradiation given to girls with Wilms' tumor may predispose them to the subsequent delivery of low birthweight children.