Current therapy of Wilms' tumor

Whereas as recently as ten years ago most children with Wilms' tumor died, today even children initially presenting with symptoms and signs of advanced metastatic disease have a chance for survival. Basic studies on a naturally occurring tumor in rats, which is quite similar to human Wilms' tumor both morphologically and pathophysiologically, have demonstrated the clear cut therapeutic advantage of the combination of actinomycin D and irradiation on this disease process. These results can be directly translated into the success story that has been seen in the clinical management of human Wilms' tumor. Further research remains to be done concerning the immunologic aspects of Wilms' tumor activity.