March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that kids get kidney cancer too?

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 While Wilms tumor is the most commonly diagnosed kidney, and abdominal cancer, among children, there are other lesser known types of renal (kidney) tumors.

Here’s an overview of 3 types of kidney cancers affecting children:

~Clear Cell Sarcoma (CCSK)

~Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma  (tRCC)

~Wilms tumor (wilms)

 PLUS  opportunities to learn more about 3 very special children whose families have shared their own stories & experiences with these types of kidney cancer affecting our children.

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Clear Cell Sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is the second most common renal tumor that affects children, after Wilms tumor [Learn more HERE].

  Clear Cell Sarcoma typically presents in children less than three years of age but “is an invasive tumor with a tendency to metastasize to the bone, brain, and can also spread to the lung and abdominal cavity. The brain has replaced bone as the most common metastatic site,“ [More HERE), “It is most often “misdiagnosed with other abdominal tumors. The common clinical manifestations of CCSK patients are similar to Wilms Tumor”, which Elevate kid Hunter experienced in his own original diagnosis. 

Symptoms of Clear Cell Sarcoma of the kidney are the same as those of other renal tumors, like Wilms, and may, but not always include: 

-abdominal bulge or mass and/or pain

-urinary infections

-fever

-constipation

-hypertension

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Get to know Hunter, an Elevate kid, HERE. He is now an 8 year survivor of this type of kidney cancer!

Or visit Hunter on his Elevate kids page HERE for more photos of this loving, helpful young man!

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Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma (tRSS)

The NIH has this to say about Renal Cell Carcinoma: 

“Renal cell carcinoma is cancer that grows in the kidney. There are many different types of kidney cancer and translocation renal cell carcinoma is one subtype. Translocation renal cell carcinoma is also called Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma or tRCC. It was recognized as a type of kidney cancer in 2004. This type of cancer usually grows slowly. Patients usually do not experience symptoms. This type of cancer is more common in children and young adults than adults. TRCC makes up only 1 to 5% of all cases of renal cell carcinoma. Out of all of the childhood cases of renal cell carcinoma, translocation renal cell carcinoma makes up about 20% of the cases.” [Link HERE for more]

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   Joey Xu was an energetic 5th grader, diagnosed with translocation renal cell carcinoma. To learn more about Joey, how his family have taken this experience and are making a difference through their foundation Joey’s Wings. Visit HERE to read what his mom, Kathy, generously shared with Elevate recently.

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Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma)

Wilms’ tumor or Wilms tumor/Wilms, also known as nephroblastoma, is the most common kidney cancer and abdominal cancer that occurs in children, usually under the age of 5, but occasionally adults may be affected.  Wilms tumor may present in one kidney or bilaterally (both). It is also categorized by ‘favorable’ histology and ‘unfavorable’ histology, also known as ‘anaplastic Wilms’. ‘Unfavorable’ histology, loss of heterozygosity, even in favorable tumors, and recurrence are currently known indicators of a poorer prognosis.  [Link HERE]

The cause of Wilms tumor is not precisely known, according to the NIH, but is believed to be due to genetic alterations that deal with the normal embryological development of the genitourinary tract, which means that some mishap occurs with these cells during otherwise healthy development. Current estimates are that 1/3 of Wilms tumors currently express one of these gene alterations. 

    Most Wilms tumors cannot be traced to a known genetic condition and develop in an otherwise healthy child. Because of the uptick of screening for these genetic conditions, and knowledge, more Wilms tumors can be traced to an inherited genetic condition, which then can predispose a person for a Wilms tumor to develop.

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 Elevate kid, Emmie Brooks [HERE] was diagnosed with Wilms multiple times throughout her short life.

   Her mom, along with other ‘Elevate Wilms workgroup’ members are coming together to help further this mission to dramatically improve and save the lives of those diagnosed with childhood cancer.

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Inspired and want to join us in making sure we ‘let kids be kids’?

    Send us a message HERE, let us know if you are interested in learning more! We’d love to hear from you!