THE EFFECT OF WILMS-TUMOR CHEMOTHERAPY ON CONTRALATERAL RENAL GROWTH AFTER NEPHRECTOMY

Purpose: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of current Wilms tumor che motherapy on renal growth and function after unilateral nephrectomy. M aterials and Methods: Yorkshire piglets were Enrolled in 2 study group s: group 1-6 underwent unilateral nephrectomy and placebo infusion, an d group 2-10 underwent nephrectomy, and infusion of 1.5 mcg./kg, actin omycin D and 0.75 mcg./m.(2) vincristine according to the National Wil ms Tumor Study 4 protocol. Weekly measurements of renal size by ultras ound and gross specimens at sacrifice at age II weeks were examined an d weekly laboratory studies were recorded, Growth rates of renal lengt h and volume were evaluated by linear regression analysis. Terminal re nal length and volume were compared between groups. Results: Mean slop e plus or minus standard deviation of the rate of growth in length in the control and chemotherapy groups was 0.067 +/- 0,004 and 0.074 +/- 0.011, respectively (p less than or equal to 0.148, not statistically significant), Mean slope of growth in volume was 1.401 +/- 0.240 versu s 1,642 +/- 0.456 (p less than or equal to 0.252), average terminal re nal length was 10.71 +/- 1.02 versus 11.58 +/- 1.03 cm. (p less than o r equal to 0.13, not significant) and mean final volume was 128.67 +/- 32.41 versus 137 +/- 32.52 cc (p less than or equal to 0.65). No diff erences in final serum creatinine levels were noted. Conclusions: Chem otherapy for Wilms tumor did not adversely affect contralateral renal growth or function in a nephrectomized piglet model.