Pediatric genitourinary tumors.
OBJECTIVE
We will review the recent (2006/2007) literature on pediatric genitourinary tumors.


RESULTS
The WTX gene is now the most common known gene mutation in Wilms' tumor. It acts as a tumor suppressor gene and may play a role in other malignancies. Current clinical trials have incorporated the loss of heterozygosity of 1p and 16q along with age, tumor size, stage, and response to therapy to risk stratify therapy. The PAX3-FOX01 gene fusion and the IGF-1R-signaling and mTOR-signaling pathways are implicated in rhabdomyosarcoma biology, and hence are promising therapeutic targets for this tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
Progress is being made in understanding the pathogenesis of genitourinary tumors in children, and the prognosis for these children continues to improve. Current treatment strategies are focused on improving event-free survival while decreasing late effects from therapy.
McLean
Thomas W
TW
Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. tmclean@wfubmc.edu
Castellino
Sharon M
SM
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D014565:Urogenital Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology