Jessop and the Wilms' tumor

Abstract

The earliest specialists in the field of pediatric surgical oncology were the surgeons of 19th century Europe, particularly Billroth, Kocher, and Wilms. However, the first successful nephrectomy for a Wilms' tumor in a child was performed by a less famous name, Thomas Richard Jessop (1837-1903) at the Leeds General Infirmary on June 7, 1877. Jessop ultimately became Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and was a gifted teacher, being at the forefront in the development of medical education outside of London as first Professor of Surgery in Leeds. The clinical case history and operative procedure of this first successful nephrectomy for Wilms' tumor in a child is presented.