OPERATIVE AND PERIOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS OF WILMS-TUMOR TREATMENT

Chemotherapy, tumor nephrectomy and in some cases radiotherapy are the cornerstones of Wilms' tumor treatment. Treatment analysis is mostly restricted to pure survival curves, but early and late morbidity shoul d be considered as well, Analysis of Wilms' tumor nephrectomy complica tions have only rarely been published from comprehensive studies. In t his paper the authors point out that great differences in early and la te operative complications may exist between different studies and cen ters. These may be related to treatment plan (preoperative chemotherap y versus primary operation), but may also be a consequence of operativ e techniques only (e.g. number of surgeons participating in a comprehe nsive study). As the analysis of operative complications may possibly contribute to further improvement of treatment results in this nowaday s mostly curable cancer and certainly helps to reduce early and late m orbidity, it is suggested that operation analysis be incorporated rout inely in the Wilms' tumor treatment and study protocols.