Wilms' tumour (nephroblastoma) in Zimbabwe

SUMMARY

Over a 3-year period (1984–1987), 57 cases of Wilms, tumour (nephroblastoma) were diagnosed and managed at the Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare. Two-thirds of the patients were younger than 4 years of age. The majority of patients presented with advanced disease, most likely the result of delayed and late presentation. In spite of this, and with a multimodal approach to management, results obtained were fairly good and compare favourably with results obtained elsewhere in developed countries. Forty-four of the 57 patients are presently alive and disease free 10 to > 36 months after presentation. Overall, 2-year relapse-free survival was 64·9%.