The management of Wilms' tumor: A comparison of two regimens

The primary treatment of Wilms' tumor in two groups of patients at North Carolina Memorial Hospital is reviewed. The first group, treated prior to 1968, received surgery, radiotherapy, and nonintensive chemotherapy. The second group, seen after 1968, was treated by a protocol prescribing surgery, radiotherapy, and sequential postoperative vincristine and dactinomycin. Five of the 19 preprotocol patients have survived, while 11 of the 13 protocol patients have no disease. Since surgery and radiotherapy were comparable in the two groups, these preliminary findings support the general view that the early institution of intensive chemotherapy is largely responsible for the improved prognosis of Wilms' tumor.