Association of Wilms Tumor with Spinal Dysraphism

Abstract

Previous data suggested an association of vertebral anomalies with Wilms tumor. At the same time, vertebral midline fusion defects are often indicated by dermal anomalies over the spine. In the present study the prevalence of both occult spina bifida and cutaneous signs of spinal dysraphism was significantly higher in 50 Wilms patients than in 180 control children (18.0 versus 4.4%, p <.01, and 35.9 versus 17.5%, p <.02, respectively). Family investigations are needed to answer the question whether signs of spinal dysraphism in parents and sibs of patients may be regarded as indicators of an increased risk of Wilms tumor in the family.

Spina bifida and pediatric cancers

“…Our study confirmed previously reported associations between childhood cancer and spina bifida. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] In particular, we found associations between spina bifida and CNS tumors, as in other work. 5 However, our study is the first to report on associations with benign CNS tumors.…”

“…2,3 Later studies with greater statistical power were able to stratify by cancer type, and reported increased risks for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), hepatoblastoma, central nervous system (CNS) tumors, Wilms tumor, Ewing sarcoma, and non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas, although findings were not always consistent likely due to small sample sizes. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] In addition, spina bifida aperta was reported in family members of Wilms tumor cases. 9 Because both cancer and spina bifida are rare events, however, there are few published studies.…”

Cervico‐Thoracic Lipoma Associated with Occult Syringohydromyelia

“…Racial factors may also be implicated as African populations seem to have an increased risk for occult cervico‐thoracic spina bifida compared with Caucasians (3). Patients with Wilms tumor also have an increased risk of vertebral anomalies and spinal dysraphism (4).…”

Degeneración tumoral en meningocele no intervenido. Descripción de dos casos

“…Publicaciones posteriores de los años 80 sugieren una relación del tumor de Wilms (nefroblastoma) con pacientes afectos de espina bífida oculta o con estigmas cutáneos de disrafia espinal, pudiendo ser demostrada estadísticamente a comienzos de la década actual 14 .…”