Other Solid Tumors

Types of solid tumors we treat

Wilms tumor

Pediatric cancer specialists at Mary Bridge Children’s have expertise treating Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma), the most common type of kidney cancer in children. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that sit on either side of the spine near the lower back. They are an essential part of the filtration system that removes waste from the body, producing urine that flows to the bladder.

Wilms tumor can be difficult to detect because children may still look and act healthy. The first sign parents may notice is often swelling or a hard mass in their child’s belly. Other symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Appetite loss
• High blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Constipation
• Blood in the child’s urine

Treatment for Wilms tumor involves surgery to remove the affected kidney. Your child may also need chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells, while radiation therapy uses high-energy beams targeted at tumors to shrink or destroy them.

Liver tumors

Our pediatric specialists are experienced in treating both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) liver tumors in children. The liver is an essential organ that filters toxins and waste from the blood, produces digestive fluid and breaks down nutrients.

The most common form of liver cancer in children is hepatoblastoma, which doctors typically treat with some combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Each child is different, but symptoms of liver tumors can include:

• Swelling or large mass in the abdomen or belly
• Pain on the right side of the abdomen, in some cases extending to the back
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes
• Fever
• Itchy skin

Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer that starts in early forms of nerve cells, occurring primarily in infants and young children.

This type of cancer can cause tumors in the spine, abdomen or chest, as well as the adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys.

Symptoms of neuroblastoma can vary widely depending on where the tumor is in the body. The most common symptoms of neuroblastoma include:

• Large lump or swelling in the abdomen, chest or neck
• Abdominal or bone pain
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, arm or groin

Depending on how advanced your child’s neuroblastoma is, our specialists may recommend a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Soft tissue sarcoma

Sarcomas are a type of cancer that develop in tissues such as muscle, fat, joints, blood vessels and bones. In addition to treating sarcomas of the bone, our team also treats soft tissue sarcomas such as rhabdomyosarcoma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma can cause tumors almost anywhere in the body, so symptoms can be very different among children. The first sign is often a lump or swelling. Depending on the location, this can affect:

• Vision. Tumors near the eye can impact vision, cause bulging of the eye or make your child appear cross-eyed.
• Sinuses. Tumors in the ear or nasal cavities can lead to headaches or sinus congestion.
• Urinary tract. Tumors in the bladder or genital area can make using the bathroom painful and cause bleeding.
• Abdomen. Abdominal tumors may lead to vomiting, constipation or belly pain.

For soft tissue sarcomas, your child’s team of physicians may recommend a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.