Can Kidney Cancer Occur in Children?

Kidney cancer can occur in children, but it is very rare compared with adults. When it does happen, it usually takes a different form from the kidney cancers seen in older people. The most common childhood type is called Wilms tumor, or nephroblastoma, which accounts for nearly all kidney cancers diagnosed in children.

Wilms tumor develops from immature kidney cells that fail to mature properly during early growth. It usually affects children between two and five years of age and is named after Max Wilms, the German surgeon who first described it. Unlike adult kidney cancers such as renal cell carcinoma, Wilms tumor behaves differently and responds much better to treatment.

In most cases, Wilms tumor occurs by chance and is not inherited, but about 5 to 10 percent of affected children have a genetic predisposition. Conditions such as WAGR syndrome, Denys–Drash syndrome, and Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome increase the likelihood of developing Wilms tumor. Children with certain birth defects, such as abnormalities of the urinary tract or one kidney larger than the other, may also have a higher risk.

Wilms tumor usually affects one kidney, but in some children, both kidneys may be involved. Parents or doctors often notice a painless lump or swelling in the abdomen, which may make one side look larger than the other. Other symptoms can include abdominal pain, blood in the urine, fever, nausea, or loss of appetite. Because the tumor grows quietly, it is often found during routine checkups or when investigating unrelated issues.

Diagnosis involves ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to confirm the presence of a kidney mass. Once confirmed, doctors perform a biopsy or remove the tumor surgically to determine its type and stage. Blood and urine tests are used to check overall kidney function before treatment begins.

Treatment for Wilms tumor usually combines surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy, depending on how advanced the cancer is. Most children recover completely with timely and appropriate treatment. Survival rates are excellent, with more than 90 percent of children living long and healthy lives after therapy.

Although other rare kidney tumors, such as clear cell sarcoma or rhabdoid tumor of the kidney, can occur in childhood, Wilms tumor remains by far the most common. Early diagnosis and specialized pediatric care are key to achieving the best outcomes.

Looking for more questions?

Visit our Kidney Cancer Questions page for all other topics explained in plain language.

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