Wilms′ tumor with right heart extension: Report of a post-chemotherapeutic fatality

Abstract

Wilms′ tumor (WT) has a strong propensity to invade the vasculature in the form of tumor-thrombus, into the renal veins, and inferior vena cava and even into the right atrium. This cavo-atrial propagation does not alter the prognosis and pre-operative chemotherapy produces shrinkage to the extent of even disappearance of caval or atrial extensions. We present a case of sudden death due to hemorrhagic expansion of the intra-atrial component of WT, immediately after commencement of chemotherapy, an uncommon incident.

Keywords

• Chemotherapy
• children
• heart
• intracardiac metastases
• right atrium
• wilm′s tumor