Understanding Wilms

Wilms Tumour develops from specialised cells called metanephic blastema, which help form children’s kidneys while they are still in the womb. In healthy children these cells disappear at birth, but in a very small number of children some of the cells remain, and may develop into cancer cells and multiply to form tumours.

Sixty to seventy children are diagnosed with Wilms’ tumour in the UK each year. Great Ormond Street sees 10-12 of these children but only 15% are at stage four of the disease like Molly.

That's a fairly accurate layman's explanation of Wilms Tumour, but the most comprehensive and clear outline of the disease, its causes, symptoms, treatment and much more can be found on the Wilms section of the cancerbackup charity website.

Just click on this link:

http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Childrenscancers/Typesofchildrenscancers/Wilmstumour#2343