Partial nephrectomy in well-responding stage I Wilms' tumors: report of three cases

We report on 3 of 21 stage I Wilms' tumor patients with tumor volumes of 190, 890, and 1300 mL, respectively, who responded dramatically to preoperative chemotherapy according to the Austrian/Hungarian Wilms' Tumor Study 89 by tumor volume reductions to 20%, 23%, and 13%, respectively. Radical resection of the tumors with renal preservation was achieved in all patients. Postoperative studies did not show any functional deficit in the preserved kidney. The patients have been in complete remission for 26, 33, and 60 months, respectively. Our preliminary results indicate that tumor resection should be feasible in patients with good responding stage I Wilms' tumors.