Vena Cava Thrombus in Patients with Wilms Tumor

Simple Summary Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common solid renal tumor in childhood. Today, more than 90% are alive 5 years after treatment. If the tumor extends into the major abdominal vessels, treatment still faces significant challenges. In these cases, tumor removal from the vessel is also required, sometimes requiring complex management. Knowledge of factors that positively or negatively affect treatment and survival is therefore of particular interest. We, therefore, compiled data on this small group of WT patients and evaluated them in terms of survival. This revealed that certain tumor-related features, as well as the presence or absence of metastases, significantly affect survival. This information helps us to further improve the treatment for this group of patients. (1) Background: Vena cava thrombus (VCT) is rare in Wilms tumor (WT) (4-10%). The aim of this study is to identify factors for an outcome to improve treatment for better survival. (2) Methods: 148/3015 patients with WT (aged < 18 years) and VCT, prospectively enrolled over a period of 32 years (1989-2020) by the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (SIOP-9/GPOH, SIOP-93-01/GPOH and SIOP-2001/GPOH), are retrospectively analyzed to describe clinical features, response to preoperative chemotherapy (PC) (142 patients) and surgical interventions and to evaluate risk factors for overall survival (OS). (3) Results: 14 VCT regressed completely with PC and another 12 in parts. The thrombus was completely removed in 111 (85.4%), incompletely in 16 (12.3%), and not removed in 3 (2.3%). The type of removal is unknown in four patients. Patients without VCT have a significantly (p < 0.001) better OS (97.8%) than those with VCT (90.1%). OS after complete resection is (89.9%), after incomplete (93.8%) and with no resection (100%). Patients with anaplasia or stage IV without complete remission (CR) after PC had a significantly worse OS compared to the remaining patients with VCT (77.1% vs. 94.4%; p = 0.002). (4) Conclusions: As a result of our study, two risk factors for poor outcomes in WT patients with VCT emerge: diffuse anaplasia and metastatic disease, especially those with non-CR after PC.

Automated summary

The study reveals that diffuse anaplasia and metastatic disease, especially those without complete remission after chemotherapy, are two risk factors for poor outcomes in Wilms tumor patients with vena cava thrombus.