Note: The information on cancer types on the ACRF website is not designed to provide medical or professional advice and is for information only. If you have any health problems or questions please consult your doctor.
This cancer is named after Dr Max Wilms, who first described the cancer which can affect one or both kidneys.
It is most often found in children between 2 and 3 years old.
Wilms’ Tumour is a type of Kidney Cancer and comes from very specialised cells which are involved in the development of a baby’s kidneys while the baby is still in the womb. The cells usually disappear at birth but in children with this cancer, cells (nephrogenic rest cells) will remain.
In most children, the causes of Wilms’ tumour are unknown although there is thought to be a family connection in a small percent of cases where a second member of the same family will also have the disease.
1,630
new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in people aged 0–24
338
cases of leukaemia will be the most commonly diagnosed
3
children & adolescents die from cancer every week
Together we can change the statistics and outsmart cancer for good
REFERENCES
Cancer in Australia 2017, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
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