Incidence of tumoural pathology in horseshoe kidneys

Objectives: To know the incidence of tumoural pathology among our cases of horseshoe kidney (HK), a congenital anomaly occurring in 0.25% of the population, as well as their prognostic factors and follow-up. Methods: A total of 82 patients admitted at our Centre between 1967 and 1996 with an HK diagnosis were retrospectively reviewed. We have collected a total of 10 cases of HK tumours. We analyse the clinical, diagnostic, surgical and evolutionary peculiarities of the different HK tumour aetiologies, as compared with those described in literature. Results: Our experience is based on 10 patients - 5 adenocarcinomas, 4 transitional cell carcinomas and a Wilms' tumour. Conclusions: We have observed that in the case of transitional cell carcinomas, the diagnosis is generally made at an advanced stage. The prognosis of the tumorous disease depends upon the same prognostic factors as in the case of normal kidneys. Renal adenocarcinoma is the kind of tumour most frequently associated with HKs. Its incidence among the HK cases is not greater than among the normal population. Conservative local treatment criteria for adenocarcinoma should be valid for HKs as well.