Rare Comorbidity of Sickle Cell Disease and Wilms’ Tumor: A Case Report

Abstract

Wilms' tumor (nephroblastoma) is among the most common childhood cancers in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African countries. However, its association with sickle cell disease is rarely reported in the literature. We present a case of nephroblastoma associated with sickle cell disease. The management of such a case requires a multidisciplinary team in a specialized center. The combination of surgery with pre- and postoperative chemotherapy leads to excellent curative rates. Renal histology after nephrectomy provides the diagnosis and defines the tumor type. Multiple mutations leading to cancers in humans may explain the coexistence of these two genetic diseases with affected genes found in the same chromosome. Further research to provide a molecular genetic explanation of such comorbidity is recommended.