SURGERY FOR WILMS-TUMOR - THE EFFECT OF NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY

A total of 101 patients presenting for nephrectomy for Wilms' tumour were non-randomly offered primary surgery or pre-operative treatment and were subsequently assessed to determine the effect of the primary treatment on surgical morbidity and mortality. Ease of surgery as indicated by tumour mass and extent of resection was improved in the patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment. Intra-operative complications were also reduced in this group. Significant pre-existing disease compounded both surgical and anaesthetic risk in 20% of patients. No effect of pre-operative treatment on histological grading was evident. Overall operative mortality was 1%.