Tuberous Sclerosis

A multi-system disorder

Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic disorder which results in tumor formation in many parts of the body. The genetic defect can be inherited or it can occur in someone with no family history of the disease. Worldwide, it occurs from 1 in 5,800 to 1 in 30,000 persons, in both males and females.

Symptoms

The benign (non-cancerous) tumors that develop cause many different types of symptoms based on where the tumors are located in the body.

• In the brain - The tumors which grow here are hard and resemble potatoes or tubers, and are called cortical tubers. Calcified nodules may also develop in the brain tissue. Nervous system problems which occur are seizure disorders (in 60-70% of affected individuals), learning disability (40% of individuals), and behavioral difficulties such as autism, hyperactivity, attention deficit, and destructive behavior.
• On the skin - 70% to 80% of affected individuals have some type of skin lesion. The most common ones are small tumors (angiofibromas) on the face, nails, scalp, or forehead. Most of these tumors cause no problem for the individual but are unsightly.
• In the eyes - Benign growths on the retina, called phakomas, develop in up to 50% of affected individuals.
• In the kidneys - Abnormal growths of fatty and muscle tissue (angiomyolipomas) grow in the kidneys in 80% of affected individuals.
• In the heart - Up to 50% to 60% of affected individuals have heart disease, mainly tumors in the heart muscle (rhabdomyomas). However, these tumors often resolve on their own in the first few years of life.

Diagnosis

Someone suspected of having tuberous sclerosis will be given a careful physical examination combined with a CT scan or MRI of the brain and an ultrasound of the kidneys. If the person has at least one major symptom of the disease, such as cortical tubers or tumors on the face, plus other symptoms, the diagnosis is confirmed.

Treatment

There is no cure or specific treatment for tuberous sclerosis. Treatment focuses on controlling or relieving symptoms such as seizures or kidney problems. Skin tumors can be reduced or removed with laser treatment by a dermatologist. Individuals with the disease will be monitored and reevaluated periodically by a multidisciplinary team to keep problems in check.

_Source:

"An information leaflet for nurses." Publications. 1999. Tuberous Sclerosis Association, UK. 3 Jun 2009.