Multidisciplinary approach to Wilms' tumor: 18 years of experience.

Background: The aim was to evaluate the characteristics of Wilms' tumor and the results of combined modality treatment obtained in our center in Turkey.

Methods: From January 1978 to December 1996, 106 patients with Wilms' tumor were diagnosed. Of these 106 patients, 61 were male and 45 were female (M/F = 1,35); the median age at diagnosis was 39 months. The distribution of the 106 patients according to clinical stage was stage I 10%, stage II 42%, stage III 35%, stage IV 9% and stage V 4%. Histologically, 102 of the cases could be evaluated: favorable histology was diagnosed in 88.2% and unfavorable histology in 11.8% of the patients. Ninety-eight patients were treated according to NWTS and eight patients according to SIOP protocols.

Results: The EFS and overall survival rates at 2 years were 74.2 and 79.5% respectively, and at 5 years 72.4 and 76.6% respectively.

Conclusion: As a developing country we evaluated our survival rates and report an improvement in treatment in recent years.