Wilms Cancer Foundation
Defeating Childhood Kidney Cancer
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Wilms Tumor in Children: Symptoms, Treatment, Clinical Trials, Survival & Support for Families
A trusted global resource for understanding Wilms tumor (childhood kidney cancer), with clear guidance on symptoms, treatment, survival, research and care.
Wilms Tumor Diagnosis & Staging
Imaging tests for Wilms tumor
What's on this page:
Wilms tumor is typically treated using a combination of chemotherapy, nephrectomy surgery, radiation therapy, and long-term pediatric oncology follow-up care.
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How WIlms Tumor is treated
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What this means for parents
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
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Learn more & get support
Imaging Testing for Wilms Tumor
Imaging tests play a critical role in diagnosing Wilms tumor and evaluating how far childhood kidney cancer may have progressed. Pediatric imaging studies help pediatric oncology teams identify the size and location of the tumor, determine whether one or both kidneys are affected, assess nearby organs and lymph nodes, and evaluate whether metastatic Wilms tumor has spread beyond the kidney to areas such as the lungs, liver, bones, or other parts of the body.
Imaging tests for Wilms tumor are an important part of pediatric kidney cancer diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, surgical preparation, and long-term survivorship monitoring. These pediatric oncology imaging studies help doctors better understand the extent of the disease while guiding decisions relating to chemotherapy, nephrectomy surgery, radiation therapy, surveillance imaging, and follow-up care after treatment.
Children with suspected Wilms tumor may undergo several different imaging tests including:
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Abdominal ultrasound
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CT scans of the abdomen and chest
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MRI imaging
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Chest X-rays
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Additional imaging studies in higher-stage or metastatic disease
Ultrasound is often one of the first imaging tests used to evaluate possible childhood kidney cancer because it can quickly identify kidney tumors without exposing the child to radiation. CT scans and MRI imaging provide more detailed information about tumor size, tumor location, nearby organ involvement, blood vessel involvement, lymph node enlargement, and whether metastatic disease may be present.
Chest imaging is also commonly used because metastatic Wilms tumor frequently spreads to the lungs. Pediatric oncology teams may use chest CT scans or chest X-rays to assess lung metastases and determine whether more intensive treatment may be required.
Imaging studies for Wilms tumor help pediatric oncology specialists evaluate:
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The exact location and size of the tumor
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Whether one or both kidneys are affected
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Involvement of nearby tissues or blood vessels
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Lymph node enlargement or abdominal spread
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Possible metastatic childhood kidney cancer
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Treatment response during chemotherapy
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Recovery and recurrence during survivorship monitoring
Some children may require imaging scans at multiple stages throughout treatment for Wilms tumor. Imaging may be repeated before surgery, during chemotherapy, after radiation therapy, and throughout long-term pediatric oncology follow-up care to monitor treatment response and identify possible recurrent childhood kidney cancer.
Although imaging procedures can sometimes feel stressful for children and families, advances in pediatric imaging technology continue to improve the accuracy of childhood kidney cancer diagnosis while helping pediatric oncology teams plan safer and more effective treatment strategies for Wilms tumor.
What This Means for Parents
Imaging tests are an important part of diagnosing and staging Wilms tumor and can help pediatric oncology teams better understand the extent of childhood kidney cancer before treatment begins. For many families, the imaging process may involve multiple appointments, hospital visits, scans, and waiting periods while doctors gather detailed information about the tumor and develop a personalized pediatric oncology treatment plan.
Parents may hear terms such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI imaging, chest imaging, metastatic disease, staging, or surveillance imaging during the diagnostic process. These tests help doctors determine:
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The size and location of the Wilms tumor
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Whether one or both kidneys are affected
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Whether the cancer has spread beyond the kidney
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Whether surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or additional testing may be required
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How treatment response and recovery will be monitored over time
For many children, imaging studies are repeated throughout treatment for Wilms tumor to monitor chemotherapy response, assess recovery after nephrectomy surgery, evaluate metastatic disease, and identify possible recurrent childhood kidney cancer during survivorship follow-up care.
Some imaging procedures may require children to remain still for extended periods, and younger children may occasionally need sedation during MRI imaging or other pediatric oncology scans. Parents are often encouraged to ask questions about:
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Why each imaging test is needed
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Whether sedation will be required
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Radiation exposure during CT scans
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What doctors are looking for on imaging studies
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How imaging results affect treatment planning
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How often surveillance imaging may continue after treatment ends
Waiting for scan results can sometimes create anxiety for families, particularly during long-term survivorship monitoring after childhood kidney cancer treatment. Pediatric oncology teams, radiologists, nurses, child-life specialists, and support professionals often work closely with families to help children feel more comfortable during imaging procedures and to provide guidance throughout the pediatric oncology diagnostic and treatment process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
About Imaging Tests for Wilms Tumor
Why are imaging tests important for Wilms tumor?
Imaging tests for Wilms tumor help pediatric oncology teams diagnose childhood kidney cancer, determine tumor size and location, assess metastatic disease, and guide treatment planning.
What imaging tests are commonly used to diagnose Wilms tumor?
Imaging tests for Wilms tumor may include abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, MRI imaging, chest X-rays, and other pediatric oncology imaging studies.
Why is ultrasound often used first for Wilms tumor?
Ultrasound is commonly used because it can quickly identify kidney tumors in children without exposing the child to radiation during the initial childhood kidney cancer evaluation.
What does a CT scan show in Wilms tumor?
CT scans help evaluate tumor size, nearby organ involvement, blood vessel involvement, lymph node enlargement, and possible metastatic childhood kidney cancer.
What is MRI imaging used for in Wilms tumor?
MRI imaging provides detailed images of soft tissues and may help pediatric oncology teams assess tumor spread, surgical planning, and treatment response in children with Wilms tumor.
Why is chest imaging important for Wilms tumor?
Chest imaging is important because metastatic Wilms tumor commonly spreads to the lungs, and imaging studies help determine whether additional pediatric oncology treatment may be required.
Can imaging tests determine the stage of Wilms tumor?
Yes. Imaging studies are an important part of Wilms tumor staging because they help determine whether the childhood kidney cancer has spread beyond the kidney.
Will my child need multiple imaging scans during treatment?
Many children undergo repeated imaging studies during chemotherapy, after nephrectomy surgery, during radiation therapy, and throughout long-term survivorship monitoring after treatment ends.
Do imaging tests expose children to radiation?
Some imaging studies such as CT scans involve radiation exposure, while ultrasound and MRI imaging do not use radiation. Pediatric oncology teams carefully balance imaging benefits with radiation safety.
Will my child need sedation for imaging tests?
Some younger children may require sedation during MRI imaging or longer pediatric oncology scans to help them remain still during the procedure.
How long do imaging tests usually take?
Imaging times vary depending on the procedure. Ultrasound may take a short time, while MRI imaging and CT scans may take longer depending on the area being evaluated.
What are doctors looking for on imaging scans?
Doctors use imaging studies to evaluate tumor size, tumor location, lymph node involvement, metastatic disease, treatment response, and possible recurrent childhood kidney cancer.
How often is surveillance imaging performed after treatment?
Surveillance imaging schedules vary depending on the stage of Wilms tumor, relapse risk, and pediatric oncology treatment history. Follow-up scans are often more frequent during the first several years after treatment.
Can imaging tests detect recurrent Wilms tumor?
Yes. Surveillance imaging after childhood kidney cancer treatment helps pediatric oncology teams identify possible recurrent or relapsed Wilms tumor during survivorship follow-up care.
What happens after imaging results are reviewed?
After imaging results are reviewed, pediatric oncology teams use the findings to determine the stage of the Wilms tumor and develop an individualized treatment plan for the child.
Learn More and Get Support
Help improve outcomes for children with Wilms tumor. Support awareness, caregiver education, treatment access, and global childhood cancer advocacy. This will improve the quality of life for those diagnosed with Wilms tumor and improve outcomes.
For more information, guidance, and support resources please review the links provided below (and our website) or contact us directly.
Next Steps:
What are urine and blood tests for
Learn about the stages of Wilms tumor
Learn more about stage 1 Wilms tumor
Learn more about stage 2 Wilms tumor
Learn more about stage 3 Wilms tumor
Learn more about stage 4 Wilms tumor
Learn more about stage 5 Wilms tumor
What does metastatic tumor mean
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests for Wilms tumor help pediatric oncology teams evaluate tumor size, tumor location, metastatic disease involvement, and the overall stage of childhood kidney cancer.