Wilms' tumor other diagnostic studies

Other diagnostic studies for Wilms tumor include PET scan and histology of biopsy samples taken.

Other diagnostic studies for Wilms tumor include:

• PET scan^[1]
  • 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)-CT.
  • Wilms tumor is 18F-FDG avid, and 18F-FDG-PET-CT imaging adds clinically applicable information to conventional imaging.
  • This may be particularly helpful in patients with bilateral disease or those receiving preoperative chemotherapy.
  • 18F-FDG-PET-CT highlights FDG-avid areas in the tumor and metastases.
  • This corresponds to histologically confirmed active disease.
• Biopsy
  • Histology of the biopsy sample taken during surgery is the gold standard for the diagnosis of Wilms tumor.^[2][3]
  • The following result of histology is confirmatory of Wilms tumor:^[4]
    • Triphasic histology comprising –
      • Epithelial cells
      • Blastemal cells
      • Stromal cells
    • Anaplastic changes
    • Most of the tumors of the kidney have a favorable histology(90%).
    • If anaplastic changes(3-7%) are found then the outcome is poor.^[5] 

• • The surgical examination and biopsy must be performed when:
    • If a case of Wilms tumor is suspected in North America, then nephrectomy is done immediately.
    • Contralateral kidney is also explored to check for disease and lymph node biopsies done.
    • Transcutaneous biopsy samples are almost never taken to prevent:
      • Tumor spill – If this occurs then whole abdomen radiotherapy has to be done.

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