Arterial hypertension developing 10 years after radiotherapy for Wilms's tumour.

Abstract

Three patients developed arterial hypertension more than 10 years after receiving irradiation for Wilm's tumour. Scattered radiation appeared to have caused changes in the remaining kidney which were not severe enough to inhibit compensatory hypertrophy but which produced a rise in blood pressure at a later date. Since arterial hypertension appears to be a delayed complication of radiotherapy which is easily detected and controlled and can occur at any age long-term surveillance after successful treatment of malignant tumours in childhood is necessary.