Solid tumors
Wilms tumor
Wilms tumor is a childhood kidney cancer. Stage, tissue findings, molecular features and whether one or both kidneys are affected help determine treatment; some children have an underlying genetic predisposition.
Other names and abbreviations
nephroblastoma · WT · Nephroblastoma
Where transplant fits
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue has been used for selected high-risk relapses. The evidence is mainly nonrandomized and does not make transplant routine for all Wilms tumors. Rescue uses the child’s cells, not a registry donor.
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatment and the person’s health. These categories are not estimates of donor demand.
Treatment at a glance
- Who it affects
- Wilms tumor mainly affects young children.
- Other treatment options
- Treatment combines surgery and chemotherapy, with radiotherapy in selected risk groups. Relapsed disease may receive different chemotherapy, surgery or radiation and can be considered for clinical trials.
- Cells used for transplantation
- The patient’s own collected blood-forming cells for autologous stem cell rescue, when that procedure is appropriate.
Questions to bring to your care team
What is the exact diagnosis or subtype? What is the goal of each treatment option? If transplant is being considered, why does it fit this situation, which cells would be used and what are the alternatives?
Sources and further reading
- Wilms Tumor and Other Childhood Kidney Tumors Treatment (PDQ)
NCI · Accessed 2026-09-05 - Indications for haematopoietic cell transplantation and CAR-T: 2025 EBMT practice recommendations
EBMT / Bone Marrow Transplantation · Accessed 2026-09-05 - Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants for Cancer
NCI · Accessed 2026-09-05
Understanding can become action.
Some patients need a blood stem cell donor. Others receive different treatment. Wherever your interest began, you can help JBF reach more people who may be able to donate.
Explore the official registry serving where you live. It explains who can join, how registration works and what donation involves.
Find your official registryIf joining is not right for you, a gift to the Jada Bascom Foundation supports education, outreach and referrals to official registries.
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