Wilms' tumor pathophysiology
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
|
Wilms' tumor Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Wilms' tumor pathophysiology On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Wilms' tumor pathophysiology |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Wilms' tumor pathophysiology |
Overview
Pathophysiology
Pathologically, a triphasic nephroblastoma comprises three elements:
Wilms' tumor is a malignant tumor containing metanephric blastema, stromal and epithelial derivatives. Characteristic is the presence of abortive tubules and glomeruli surrounded by a spindled cell stroma. The stroma may include striated muscle, cartilage, bone, fat tissue, fibrous tissue. The tumor is compressing the normal kidney parenchyma. They commonly have a capsule and are vascular. They rarely cross the midline. Metastases are most often to the lungs.
The mesenchymal component may include cells showing rhabdomyoid differentiation. The rhabdomyoid component may itself show features of malignancy (rhabdomyosarcomatous Wilms).
Wilms tumor may be separated into 2 prognostic groups based on pathologic characteristics:
- Favorable - Contains well developed components mentioned above
- Anaplastic - Contains diffuse anaplasia (poorly developed cells)