National Wilms Tumor Study Group
Encyclopedia
The National Wilms Tumor Study Group (NWTS) is a cancer
research cooperative group in the United States
formed to study a type of kidney
tumor
that affects children called Wilms' tumor
. In 2001, NWTS merged with several other pediatric oncology cooperative groups to create the Children's Oncology Group
(COG). However, the NWTS is still active in name today completing follow-up of the late effects of treatment for patients previously enrolled in its trials. The acronym NWTS is pronounced like the word "nitwits."
The NWTS was formed in 1969 by member institutions from Children's Cancer Study Group
(CCG), Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), and CALGB, the latter two which later merged to form the Pediatric Oncology Group
(POG). The NWTS was created with the purpose of improving survival of children with Wilms' tumor. NWTS studies were conducted at over 250 pediatric oncology treatment centers in the United States
, Canada
, and other countries. Approximately 70-80% of patients with Wilms' tumor were enrolled on NWTS treatment protocols, totalling 440 patients per year.
NWTS ran five clinical trials, designated NWTS-1 to NWTS-5. The first four were randomized trials, whereas NWTS-5 was a clinical trial designed to look primarily at biologic prognostic factors and was not randomized. NWTS-5 was completed in 2003.
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
research cooperative group in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
formed to study a type of kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
that affects children called Wilms' tumor
Wilms' tumor
Wilms' tumor or nephroblastoma is cancer of the kidneys that typically occurs in children, rarely in adults.Its common name is an eponym, referring to Dr. Max Wilms, the German surgeon who first described this kind of tumor....
. In 2001, NWTS merged with several other pediatric oncology cooperative groups to create the Children's Oncology Group
Children's Oncology Group
The Children’s Oncology Group , a National Cancer Institute supported clinical trials group, is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research...
(COG). However, the NWTS is still active in name today completing follow-up of the late effects of treatment for patients previously enrolled in its trials. The acronym NWTS is pronounced like the word "nitwits."
The NWTS was formed in 1969 by member institutions from Children's Cancer Study Group
Children's Cancer Study Group
The Children's Cancer Study Group was a U.S. and Canadian clinical trial cooperative group created with the mission of studying childhood cancers. The CCG was originally known as Cancer and Leukemia Group A when it was associated with CALGB. In 2000, the CCG merged with several other pediatric...
(CCG), Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), and CALGB, the latter two which later merged to form the Pediatric Oncology Group
Pediatric Oncology Group
The Pediatric Oncology Group was a U.S. and Canadian clinical trial cooperative group created with the mission of studying childhood cancers. It was formed by the merger of the pediatric divisions of two other cooperative groups, the Southwest Oncology Group and the CALGB...
(POG). The NWTS was created with the purpose of improving survival of children with Wilms' tumor. NWTS studies were conducted at over 250 pediatric oncology treatment centers in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and other countries. Approximately 70-80% of patients with Wilms' tumor were enrolled on NWTS treatment protocols, totalling 440 patients per year.
NWTS ran five clinical trials, designated NWTS-1 to NWTS-5. The first four were randomized trials, whereas NWTS-5 was a clinical trial designed to look primarily at biologic prognostic factors and was not randomized. NWTS-5 was completed in 2003.