Renin-Secreting Wilms' Tumor with Severe Hypertension

A 4-year-old boy with Wilms' tumor presented with severe hypertension and an elevated plasma renin level. The renin content of the tumor extract was very high, whereas the renin content of the adjacent normal renal cortex was negligible. Other renin-secreting tumors associated with hypertension are discussed. A renin-secreting tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypertension in young subjects with unexplained hyperreninemia. Hypokalemia may also occur as a result of secondary aldosteronism, although this was not observed in our patient.