The contribution of the legendary surgeon and oncologist Max Wilms (1867–1918) to clinical medicine (on the 150th anniversary of his birth)

The article shows that, as an oncologist, Max Wilms devoted a number of his studies to purely theoretical questions of oncology. On the other hand, he promoted the development of clinical surgery and oncology, offering a whole range of new methods of diagnosis and therapy of the main forms of malignant tumors of the genital organs and kidneys, making a significant contribution to the international clinical practice. M. Wilms is the author of classical studies of teratoid tumors of the ovary and testis, mixed tumors and kidney tumors. It is noted that the Wilms tumor is a dysontogenetic malignant tumor of the kidney. This tumor, described by M. Wilms in 1899, is one of the most frequent malignant neoplasms in children, usually occurring at the age of 2–5 years old, but it can appear at any age, even among the elderly. In the same year his famous monograph “Die Mischgeschwulste Der Niere” or “The Mixed Tumors of the Kidney” was published. In 1904 M. Wilms was awarded the title of professor, and two years later he published his fundamental work “Intestinal obstruction – pathomorphology and clinic”, which made him famous and recognized among surgeons, oncologists and pathomorphologists around the world. Wilms did not leave pediatric surgery unheeded. As early as 1906, he proposed to determine the type of intestinal invagination, starting from the name of the intestine, which forms the head of the intussusception (ileo-colonic, ceco-colonic, etc.). It is said that according to the aetiology of Hirschsprung’s disease, Max Wilms adhered to the theory of prolonged spasm of the anal canal and as a consequence of the appearance of a secondary megacolon (1904). He confirmed his assumptions by performing manometric studies at the level of the anal canal of the rectum, and by using the method of bougie for the treatment. As a talented scientist and teacher, demanding with himself and his students, Max Wilms published more than 130 scientific papers, being the only author in the overwhelming majority among these papers. He was a principled man and he never conspired with his conscience; at the same time, Wilms was an unusually sympathetic and sensitive teacher, always helping those who wished to study and work. 

1. Дурнов Л.А. Злокачественные опухоли почек у детей (Опухоль Вильмса). М.: Медицина, 1967. 169 с. [Durnov L.A. Malignant kidney tumors in children (Wilms Tumor). M.: Medicine, 1967. 169 p. (In Russ.)].

2. Самсонов В.А. Опухоли почек и почечных лоханок. М.: Медицина, 1970. 240 с. [Samsonov V.A. Tumors of the kidneys and renal pelvis. M.: Medicine, 1970. 240 p. (In Russ.)].

3. Дементьева Д.М., Безроднова С.М. Онкологические заболевания у детей в Ставропольском крае. Педиатр 2010;1(1):27–8. [Dementieva D.M., Bezrodnova S.М. Oncological diseases in children in the Stavropol Territory. Pediatr = Pediatrician 2010;1(1):27–8. (In Russ.)].

4. Переслегин И.А., Саркисян Ю.Х. Клиническая радиология. М.: Медицина, 1973. 360 с. [Pereslegin I.A., Sarkisyan Yu.Kh. Clinical Radiology. M.: Medicine, 1973. 360 p. (In Russ.)].