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Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous Sclerosis
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Tuberous sclerosis is a neurocutaneous disorder. The condition causes benign (noncancerous) growths called tubers to appear in the brain and on other organs, including the eyes, kidneys, heart, lungs and skin. Tuberous sclerosis affects 1 in 6,000 births and is usually first diagnosed in childhood. There is no racial or gender predisposition to the disorder. It affects between 25,000 and 40,000 Americans and about 1 to 2 million people worldwide.

Children diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis share three common findings: small bumps on the skin of the nose and face called sebaceous adenomas, uncontrolled epilepsy and developmental delay. Noncancerous tumors such as subependymal nodules (SENs) and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) may occur in the brain, in addition to other growths called cortical tubers. These growths may cause problems with normal brain function.

Tuberous sclerosis is part of a group of multisystem disorders that involve the central nervous system. Related conditions include:

  • Neurofibromatosis (NF1 and NF2)
  • Sturge-Weber syndrome
  • Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome

Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic condition. Mutations on two genes (TSC1 and TSC2) on chromosomes 9 and 16, respectively, cause the condition. The disorder is autosomal dominant, meaning only one of the two gene mutations needs to be present for tuberous sclerosis to occur. A child has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the condition if one parent also has tuberous sclerosis. Tuberous sclerosis rarely develops through spontaneous genetic mutations.

The symptoms of tuberous sclerosis vary depending on the organs and body systems affected:

  • Central nervous system symptoms
    • Seizures. Most patients with tuberous sclerosis have seizures early in life. Seizures can be difficult to control with medicine alone, and surgical treatment may be needed.
    • Developmental delay. Between one-half and two-thirds of patients experience developmental delay, ranging from learning disabilities to debilitating impairment.
  • Heart symptoms
    • Cardiac rhabdomyomas. Rhabdomyomas are benign tumors of striated muscle. They may develop in young patients. If rhabdomyomas are large enough, they may disrupt the circulation of blood and cause sudden death from heart failure.
  • Lung symptoms
    • Lung lesions. There are two kinds of lung lesions caused by tuberous sclerosis: lympangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and multinodular multifocal pneumocyte hyperplasia (MMPH). Most lung lesions are asymptomatic, but in a minority of cases, patients may present with shortness of breath.
  • Kidney symptoms
    • Angiomyolipomas. Angiomyolipomas are benign growths on the kidneys that cause no symptoms in most cases. Rarely, tumor growth and large size may cause bleeding and acute kidney injury.
    • Renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma is a less common malignant (cancerous) kidney tumor present in tuberous sclerosis.
    • Oncocytomas. Oncocytomas are tumors of epithelial cells with too many mitochondria. While often noncancerous, oncocytomas can be premalignant or malignant.
  • Eye symptoms
    • Retinal phakomas. Phakomas are noncancerous growths on the retina. They usually do not cause symptoms, but their presence is associated with a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis.
  • Skin symptoms. In addition to sebaceous adenomas, other skin lesions include:
    • Ash leaf spots. White or light patches of the skin.
    • Shagreen patches. Leathery, pebbly skin on the nape of the neck.
    • Ungual or subungual fibromas. Tumors that grow under the toenails or fingernails.
    • Skin tags. Small flaps of skin that form on the skin’s surface.

With early treatment and monitoring, life expectancy for children with tuberous sclerosis is usually good. Lifelong monitoring is necessary to watch for any possible negative effects of tumors in the central nervous system and other organ systems.

Diagnosis of Tuberous Sclerosis

Doctors at Riley at IU Health first examine your child for the three common findings of tuberous sclerosis: sebaceous adenomas, intractable epilepsy and developmental delay. Other diagnostic tests include:

  • Computed tomography (CT) scan. This X-ray scan combines cross-sectional images to create detailed pictures of the brain and to look for cortical tubers, SENs or SEGAs.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses radio waves and a magnetic field to create computer pictures of the brain and check for the presence of any cortical tubers, SENs or SEGAs.
  • Ultrasound. Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart and kidneys to screen for mass lesions.
  • Neurosurgery referral. If your child shows brain abnormalities or has seizures that cannot be controlled by medicine, his or her neurologist may set up an appointment with an epileptologist and a neurosurgeon.

Treatments

Treatments

While there is no cure for tuberous sclerosis, treatments are available to address and reduce symptoms. Treatment options include:

  • Anti-seizure medication. Your child's doctor may prescribe medicines to help control, reduce and prevent seizures.
  • Surgery. Your child’s doctor may perform surgery to reduce symptoms. Surgery options include:
    • Seizure surgery. If seizures do not respond to medicine, surgery performed by a neurosurgeon to remove the focal or starting point of the seizure may help.
    • Brain surgery. Rarely, doctors perform brain surgery to remove part of a tumor or relieve secondary complications such as hydrocephalus.
  • Vagal nerve stimulator. An implanted device that sends an electronic signal to the brain along the vagus nerve can help control and prevent seizures.
  • Chemotherapy. Doctors often use first-line chemotherapy such as everolimus to treat and shrink SEGAs.

Key Points to Remember

Key Points to Remember

  • Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic condition that causes noncancerous tumors to form in the brain and on other organs.
  • Children diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis share three common findings: small bumps on the skin of the nose and face called sebaceous adenomas, uncontrolled epilepsy and developmental delay.
  • Treatment options include anti-seizure medication, seizure surgery, vagal nerve stimulator, chemotherapy and brain surgery.

Support Services & Resources

Support Services & Resources

Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.

Learn More About Riley Support Services

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

This National Institutes of Health website provides more information about the diagnosis and treatment of tuberous sclerosis.

National Organization for Rare Disorders

This national nonprofit provides an overview of tuberous sclerosis and offers links to investigational treatments.

Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance

This organization provides information for families living with tuberous sclerosis as well as advice on how to work with healthcare providers and schools.


Locations

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

Sort through 3 facilities offering Tuberous Sclerosis care by entering your city or zip below.

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Departments Treating This Condition

Departments Treating This Condition

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
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