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Nephroblastoma, or Wilms tumour, is the 4th most common type of cancer among children. It occurs in one child in 10.000. It usually occurs in children under five years of age. It is slightly more common in girls than in boys. The survival rate of the disease is favourable, especially if it is detected at an early stage.
What is nephroblastoma?
Nephroblastoma is a malignant kidney tumour. It’s aggressive, grows rapidly and forms metastases soon. About 15% of patients have metastases at the time of initial diagnosis.
Parents often find a lump in the child’s abdomen and see a doctor for this. Other common symptoms include:
stomach pain;
high blood pressure;
blood in the urine;
fever.
Nephroblastoma stages
| Stage 1 | The tumour is completely inside the kidney, without any invasion. In 40-45% of children, cancer is detected at this stage. |
| Stage 2 | The tumour grows into the surrounding tissues. Usually, it reaches the fat layer, but not the lymph nodes. About 20% of patients are at this stage. |
| Stage 3 | The tumour grows into nearby structures and cannot be completely removed. 20-25% of patients are at this stage./p> |
| Stage 4 | Metastases are detected in remote organs – lungs, liver, bones or brain. 10% of cases. |
| Stage 5 | It’s diagnosed if cancer starts with both kidneys. In this case, each cancer site is assessed separately and the therapeutic activities are aimed at preserving the organ. 5% of patients at the time of the initial diagnosis. |
Read: The prognosis for a Wilms tumour
The prognosis in nephroblastoma largely depends on the results of the histological analysis – a test where doctors examine malignant cells in the laboratory under a microscope. In the case of favourable histology – which is 90% of patients – the child’s chances of survival are 86-99%. In case of unfavourable histology, depending on the stage of the disease, they are 38-84%.
The five-year survival rate in patients with Wilms tumour depending on stage:
Stage 1 – 94-99%;
Stages 2 and 3 – 85-93%;
Stage 4 and 5 – 41-84%.
Nephroblastoma diagnostics
To confirm the diagnosis, doctors prescribe such studies:
Blood test – with its help it is possible to evaluate kidney function and detect specific oncomarkers;
Kidney ultrasound – to detect the location and borders of the tumour;
Chest CT/MRI – to detect possible metastases.
Accurate visualization of the tumour is important when planning an operation.
Nephroblastoma treatment
| Chemotherapy | |
| Da Vinci robotic surgery | |
| Tumour laparoscopic removal | |
| Cryoablation | |
| Radio Frequency Ablation | |
What affects the price of nephroblastoma treatment in foreign clinics?
Among foreign clinics, many specialize in the treatment of pediatric oncology. The price of diagnostics and treatment in these centres depends on many factors – the stage of the disease, size and prevalence of tumour, duration of chemotherapy course, and presence of metastases. Also, the cost is influenced by the clinic’s internal pricing policy and the length of the medical experience. Treatment by a professor or doctor with a large number of awards will cost more.
The main advantage of treatment in foreign clinics is modern equipment and experience of doctors. The survival rate of children with Wilms tumour, who are treated in countries with advanced medicine, is 10-15% higher.
Nephroblastoma therapy in Spain
Every year Spain welcomes more than 200,000 medical tourists. The reason for the popularity of this country is a reliable quality of services. Medicine in Spain is recognized by the international community as the 7th best in quality.
The country’s leading specialists are known all over the world for their success in carrying out complex operations. Most of the top physicians have received training and internships in the leading clinics of the USA and Europe. Modern methods of oncology treatment are available in Spain, including targeting- and immunotherapy, proton therapy, and sparing chemotherapy protocols.
In Spain, nephroblastoma treatment is carried out according to European standards but is often cheaper than in other European countries such as Switzerland or the UK.
The survival rate of children with nephroblastoma in Spain exceeds 95%.
The treatment of the Wilms tumour in Spain is carried out in:
University Clinic of Navarra;
Quironsalud Hospitals Group;
Sant Joan De Deu Children’s Hospital.
Prices for nephroblastoma treatment in Spain:
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive diagnostics | from €4,000 |
| Tumour resection | from €23,000 |
| Radiation Therapy | from €8,000 |
| Chemotherapy | from €3,000 |
Nephroblastoma Therapy in Germany
Germany is a widely recognized leader in medical tourism. The percentage of medical errors in this country is the lowest in the world – only 0.3%. German doctors regularly undergo qualification checks and receive internships in the most prestigious clinics of the world. Also, Germany has the highest five-year survival rate of cancer patients in the world.
German clinics are regularly included in the ratings of the best medical centres of the world according to Forbes, Focus, Leading Medicine, IMTJ magazines.
German precision and attention to detail are the guarantees of both high medical achievements and quality service. Service in hospital wards is several orders of magnitude higher than in developing countries. German hospitals are always equipped with the latest generation of technology, and outdated models cannot be found in them.
The Wilms tumour is treated in such German clinics:
Rehts der Isar Clinic;
The Asklepios Clinic Network;
The network of Helios Clinics.
Prices for nephroblastoma treatment in Germany:
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive diagnostics | from €5,500 |
| Tumour resection | from €28,400 |
| Radiation Therapy | from €9,000 |
| Chemotherapy | from €3,500 |
Nephroblastoma Treatment in Turkey
Turkey is one of the top priority countries for medical tourists. There are two main reasons for this – the quality of treatment and optimal pricing policy. Due to government incentives, treatment in Turkey costs 30-40% cheaper than in European countries.
Turkish hospitals are equipped with modern facilities and adhere to international treatment protocols. Turkey is among the TOP 5 countries by the number of medical tourists who come to treat oncological diseases. It is also one of the leading countries by the quality of medical equipment. The latest models of CT, PET-CT, Tesla MRI 3, CyberKnife Robotic Systems and Da Vinci are used here. 42 Turkish hospitals have JCI certificates, which is an indicator of the highest quality level. Also, many of them have TUV, ISO, TSE and other certificates.
Nephroblastoma is treated in such Turkish hospitals:
Liv Clinic;
Koç University Hospital;
Medical Park Network of Clinics.
Prices for nephroblastoma treatment in Turkey:
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Complex diagnostics | from $3,000 |
| Tumor resection | from $18,000 |
| Radiation therapy | from $5,000 |
| Chemotherapy | from $2,500 |
Nephroblastoma Therapy in Israel
Children’s oncology is one of the strengths of Israeli medicine. Israel prides itself in having some of the highest rates of precision in diagnostics and treatment efficiency in the world. Doctors who specialize in the treatment of children’s cancer, including nephroblastoma, regularly appear on the lists of top specialists of magazines such as Forbes and Focus.
One of the unique advantages of Israel is the innovation of medical services. Here many technologies are introduced earlier than in the USA or Europe. Also, Israel possesses a strong scientific base, thanks to which it annually creates its advanced medicines and treatment methods.
Treatment of nephroblastoma is carried out in:
Schneider Children’s Hospital;
Ichilov Hospital;
Pediatric department of Hadassah Clinic;
Sheba Hospital Pediatric Department.
Prices for nephroblastoma treatment in Israel:
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Complex diagnostics | from $5,000 |
| Tumor resection | from $30,000 |
| Radiation Therapy | from $7,000 |
| Chemotherapy | from $4,000 |
Nephroblastoma Treatment in Korea
South Korea is rapidly gaining popularity among medical tourists from all over the world. Medicine in this country has a high level of quality, while prices are much lower compared to European ones. The cost of treatment in Korean clinics is 20-30% cheaper.
Korea’s health care system is ranked 4th in the world by Bloomberg magazine.
A strict training system ensures high standards of doctors’ professionalism. Treatment of oncological patients is carried out according to the most modern protocols. As Korea is also one of the strongest manufacturers of medical equipment, their clinics are always equipped according to the latest innovations.
The five-year survival rate of children with nephroblastoma in Korea has increased by 10% in the last 15 years and is over 93%.
Wilms’ tumour is treated in such clinics in Korea:
Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital;
Severance Clinic;
Asan Medical Center;
Anam Clinic.
Prices for nephroblastoma treatment in Korea:
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Complex diagnostics | from $3,500 |
| Tumor resection | from $20,400 |
| Radiation Therapy | from $7,000 |
| Chemotherapy | from $3,200 |
Resume
Nephroblastoma is an aggressive type of kidney tumour, which is most commonly found in children under 5 years of age.
The main methods of treating Wilms tumour are chemotherapy and surgery. The five-year survival rate in children treated in foreign clinics is more than 95%.
Patients from third-world countries go to the clinics of Israel, Germany, Korea, Spain and Turkey to treat nephroblastoma. Korea and Turkey are the most affordable – treatment in these clinics will cost 20-40% cheaper.
To make an appointment with a foreign doctor who specializes in Wilms tumour (nephroblastoma), leave your application on MedicGlobus website. Our coordinating physicians will advise you and help you arrange treatment.
