Hereditary Pheochromocytoma as a Main Manifestation of von Hippel Lindau Disease (vHL) in Childhood - A Long-term Follow-up of 5 Patients with vHL from One Family.

Abstract

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (vHL) is a hereditary, autosomal dominant syndrome manifested by a predisposition to the occurrence of benign and malignant neoplasms. The spectrum of vHL-related neoplasms includes: pheochromocytoma (PHEO), central nervous system and retinal hemangioblastomas, renal clear cell carcinoma, epididymal cystadenomas, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors as well as visceral (renal and pancreatic) cysts. We report the family (5 patients) with genetically confirmed vHL in which every member had PHEO diagnosed during pediatric care. The presented family had a missense variant in the VHL gene (ex1 g.A451G gene, p. S80G) which is connected with an increased risk of PHEO. Performing screening laboratory and imaging tests in patients with genetically confirmed vHL disease can help to avoid the occurrence of disease symptoms and to perform an elective surgery in safe conditions. Due to the risk of coexisting pathologies and the complexity of the disease, patients with vHL require long-term care.