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Von Hippel-Lindau disease is caused by mutations in a gene.
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Children may have headaches, impaired vision, or high blood pressure and feel dizzy or weak.
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Doctors suspect the disorder based on the person’s family history and results of a physical examination, then do imaging and other tests to check for tumors and other problems.
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Tumors are removed surgically, treated with radiation, or destroyed using a laser or application of extreme cold.
Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a neurocutaneous syndrome. A neurocutaneous syndrome causes problems that affect the brain, spine, and nerves (neuro) and the skin (cutaneous).
In Von Hippel-Lindau disease, tumors most commonly develop in the brain and retina of the eyes. These tumors, called angiomas, consist of blood vessels. Other types of tumors develop in other organs and include tumors in the adrenal glands (pheochromocytomas) and cysts in the kidneys, liver, or pancreas. As people with the disorder age, the risk of developing kidney cancer increases. By age 60, the risk may be as high as 70%.
The gene that causes von Hippel-Lindau disease has been identified. Only one gene for the disorder—from one parent—is required for the disorder to develop. Each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder. In 20% of people with this disorder, it results from a spontaneous new (not inherited) mutation. This disorder occurs in 1 of 36,000 people.
Symptoms of VHL
Typically, symptoms of von Hippel-Lindau disease appear between ages 10 and 30, but they can appear earlier.
Symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumors. Children may have headaches and feel dizzy or weak. Vision may be impaired, and blood pressure may be high. Coordination may be lost. About 10% of affected children have a tumor of the inner ear, which may impair hearing.
Angiomas in the retina usually cause no symptoms, but if they enlarge, they can cause substantial loss of vision. When these angiomas are present, the retina may become detached, fluid may accumulate on or under the macula (the central part of the retina), and the optic nerve may be damaged by increased pressure within the eye (glaucoma).
Without treatment, people may become blind, have brain damage, or die. Death usually results from complications of brain angiomas or kidney cancer.
Diagnosis of VHL
Doctors determine whether any family members have von Hippel-Lindau disease and do a physical examination.
If findings suggest the disorder, various tests are done to check for tumors and other abnormalities:
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Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain
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An eye examination including ophthalmoscopy
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Ultrasonography, CT, or MRI of the abdomen
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Hearing tests
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Blood tests
Von Hippel-Lindau disease is diagnosed when typical tumors are detected and one of the following is present:
If doctors detect one angioma, they look for others.
Genetic testing is done to check for the abnormal gene in family members. If an abnormal gene is detected, family members are monitored for tumors for the rest of their life.
Treatment of VHL
Tumors are surgically removed, if possible, before they cause permanent damage. High-dose radiation therapy, focused on the tumor, can sometimes be used instead. People who have tumors in the adrenal glands may also need drugs to control their blood pressure. People who have advanced kidney cancer may be given other drug treatments.
Typically, angiomas of the retina are destroyed using laser therapy or application of extreme cold (cryotherapy). These procedures help preserve vision.
Examinations and tests used to detect tumors are repeated every 1 or 2 years and when symptoms occur because new tumors may develop.
