Primary Malignant Tumors of the Urogenital Tract in Infants and Children

Although the incidence of primary malignant tumors of the urogenital tract in the young is comparatively low, the extremely high mortality induced by these lesions makes them a problem of grave clinical concern. Renal neoplasms are far the most frequent of these tumors and merit corresponding attention. Yet the scope of the subject and the limitations of space scarcely permit me to hope that the present discussion will more than direct attention to the newer methods of diagnosis and treatment. In short, the only prospect for lessening the extremely high mortality of these lesions lies in (1) earlier diagnosis by urography, aspiration biopsy or hormone tests (Aschheim-Zondek), as indicated in a particular case, together with (2) intensive preoperative and postoperative radiation therapy by the fractional dose method (Coutard). The data here presented are based on the clinical and/ or pathologic study in seventy-seven cases of primary malignant urologic disease in