Wilm's tumour, hypospadias, and cryptorchidism in twins

Abstract

Twin boys, both of whom had hypospadias and bilateral cryptorchidism, each developed a left sided Wilm's tumor. The first twin was found to have an advanced multifocal tumor at the age of 15 mth and died from a local recurrence and pulmonary metastases. The diagnosis was made in the second twin 1 mth later and at nephrectomy the tumor was found to be encapsulated without metastases; he is disease free 12 yr later. Although the histologic appearances were similar in each twin, the tumors did not develop at the same rate and did not show the 'mirror image' pattern suggested for embryonal tumors in identical twins.