Radiation Therapy in Management of Wilms's Tumor

The authors analyzed treatment results in 71 cases of Wilms's tumor. The abdominal control rate was higher in 42 patients receiving postoperative radiotherapy (85.5%) than in 6 patients not receiving such therapy (1/6). In patients treated by nephrectomy and postoperative radiation, the addition of chemotherapy improved survival (78.2 VS. 30%). Pulmonary metastasis did not necessarily denote a hopeless situation since a significant number of patients could be salvaged by concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy; higher control rates were achieved with total than with less-than-total thoracic irradiation. Relatively low-dose irradiation appeared sufficient in both abdominal and thoracic radiotherapy if chemotherapy was given concurrently.