Nephroblastoma is a type of kidney cancer that mostly affects children. The word’s spelling can be a bit tricky for non-medical professionals. The pronunciation of Nephroblastoma in IPA phonetic transcription is /nefroˈblæstəmə/. It is composed of two different Greek roots: "nephro," meaning "kidney," and "blastoma," meaning "tumor of immature cells." This combination results in the final spelling "nephroblastoma," which can be difficult to spell if you are unfamiliar with medical terminology. However, with a little practice, anyone can master it.
Nephroblastoma, also known as Wilms tumor, is a rare type of kidney cancer that typically affects children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of immature kidney cells, leading to the formation of a tumor primarily in one kidney, but it can occasionally affect both kidneys simultaneously. This tumor arises from cells in the kidneys that should have developed into mature kidney cells but instead persist as undifferentiated, primitive cells.
Nephroblastoma often presents as a single lump or mass in the abdomen, accompanied by symptoms like abdominal pain, swelling, blood in the urine, and high blood pressure. Although the exact cause of nephroblastoma is unknown, certain genetic mutations and syndromes, such as WAGR syndrome and Denys-Drash syndrome, are associated with an increased risk of developing this cancer.
The treatment of nephroblastoma typically involves a combination of surgery to remove the tumor and often the affected kidney, chemotherapy to kill cancer cells throughout the body, and sometimes radiation therapy. The prognosis for children with nephroblastoma is generally favorable, with a high survival rate, especially when the disease is detected early and treated promptly.
Regular medical follow-up is crucial for children who have been treated for nephroblastoma, as the long-term effects of treatment and the risk of recurrence need to be monitored.
The word "nephroblastoma" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "nephros" meaning kidney and "blastoma" meaning tumor.
The term "nephroblastoma" is specifically used to refer to a malignant tumor of the kidney, often occurring in children. It is more commonly known as Wilms tumor, named after the German surgeon Max Wilms who first described it in the late 19th century.