Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by the formation of tumors and fluid-filled sacs (cysts) in many different parts of the body. Tumors may be either noncancerous or cancerous and usually appear during young adulthood; however, the signs and symptoms of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome can occur throughout life.
Tumors called hemangioblastomas are characteristic of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. These growths are made of newly formed blood vessels and are typically noncancerous. Hemangioblastomas that develop in the brain and spinal cord can cause headaches, vomiting, weakness, and a loss of muscle coordination (ataxia). Hemangioblastomas can also occur in the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye (the retina). These tumors, which are also called retinal angiomas, may cause vision loss.
People with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome commonly develop cysts in the kidneys, pancreas, and male genital tract. They are also at an increased risk of developing a type of kidney cancer called clear cell renal cell carcinoma and a type of noncancerous tumor called a pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytomas affect the adrenal glands, which are small hormone-producing glands located on top of each kidney. These tumors often cause no symptoms, but in some cases they can produce an excess of hormones that cause dangerously high blood pressure.
About 10 percent of people with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome develop endolymphatic sac tumors, which are noncancerous tumors in the inner ear. These growths can cause hearing loss in one or both ears, as well as ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and problems with balance.
Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome can be divided into two major types based on the risk of developing pheochromocytomas. Type 1 von Hippel-Lindau syndrome is associated with a low risk of these tumors, and type 2 is characterized by a much higher risk. Type 2 can be further divided into types 2A, 2B, and 2C, depending on the probability of developing renal cell carcinoma and hemangioblastomas.
How common is von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
The incidence of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome is estimated to be 1 in 36,000 individuals.
What genes are related to von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
Mutations in the VHL gene cause von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. The VHL gene is a tumor suppressor gene, which means it keeps cells from growing and dividing too rapidly or in an uncontrolled way. Mutations in this gene prevent production of the VHL protein or lead to the production of an abnormal version of the protein. An altered or missing VHL protein cannot effectively regulate cell survival and division. As a result, cells grow and divide uncontrollably to form the tumors and cysts that are characteristic of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.
Read more about the VHL gene.
How do people inherit von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
Mutations in the VHL gene are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase the risk of developing tumors and cysts. Most people with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome inherit an altered copy of the gene from an affected parent. In about 20 percent of cases, however, the altered gene is the result of a new mutation that occurred during the formation of reproductive cells (eggs or sperm) or very early in development.
Unlike most autosomal dominant conditions, in which one altered copy of a gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder, two copies of the VHL gene must be altered to trigger tumor and cyst formation in von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. A mutation in the second copy of the VHL gene occurs during a person's lifetime in certain cells within organs such as the brain, retina, and kidneys. Cells with two altered copies of this gene make no functional VHL protein, which allows tumors and cysts to develop. Almost everyone who inherits one VHL mutation will eventually acquire a mutation in the second copy of the gene in some cells, leading to the features of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.
Where can I find information about treatment for von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
These resources address the management of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and may include treatment providers.
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Gene Review
Genetic Alliance
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Pheochromocytoma
MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Renal Cell Carcinoma
You might also find information on treatment of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome in Educational resources and Patient support.
Where can I find additional information about von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
You may find the following resources about von Hippel-Lindau syndrome helpful. These materials are written for the general public.
MedlinePlus - Health information (5 links)
Additional NIH Resources - National Institutes of Health (4 links)
Educational resources - Information pages (8 links)
Patient support - For patients and families (4 links)
You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for healthcare professionals and researchers.
Gene Reviews - Clinical summary
Gene Tests - DNA tests ordered by healthcare professionals
ClinicalTrials.gov - Linking patients to medical research
PubMed - Recent literature
OMIM - Genetic disorder catalog
What other names do people use for von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
Angiomatosis retinae
Cerebelloretinal Angiomatosis, Familial
Hippel-Lindau Disease
VHL syndrome
von Hippel-Lindau Disease
See How are genetic conditions and genes named? in the Handbook.
What if I still have specific questions about von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.
Ask the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.
Submit your question to Ask the Geneticist.
Where can I find general information about genetic conditions?
The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language.
What does it mean if a disorder seems to run in my family?
What are the different ways in which a genetic condition can be inherited?
If a genetic disorder runs in my family, what are the chances that my children will have the condition?
Why are some genetic conditions more common in particular ethnic groups?
These links provide additional genetics resources that may be useful.
Genetics and health
Resources for Patients and Families
Resources for Health Professionals
What glossary definitions help with understanding von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
adrenal glands ; angioma ; ataxia ; autosomal ; autosomal dominant ; cancer ; carcinoma ; cell ; cysts ; egg ; familial ; gene ; hemangioblastoma ; hormone ; incidence ; kidney ; mutation ; new mutation ; pancreas ; pheochromocytoma ; probability ; protein ; renal ; reproductive cells ; retina ; sign ; sperm ; symptom ; syndrome ; tinnitus ; tissue ; tumor ; tumor suppressor gene
You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary.
References (7 links)
The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.
Tumors called hemangioblastomas are characteristic of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. These growths are made of newly formed blood vessels and are typically noncancerous. Hemangioblastomas that develop in the brain and spinal cord can cause headaches, vomiting, weakness, and a loss of muscle coordination (ataxia). Hemangioblastomas can also occur in the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye (the retina). These tumors, which are also called retinal angiomas, may cause vision loss.
People with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome commonly develop cysts in the kidneys, pancreas, and male genital tract. They are also at an increased risk of developing a type of kidney cancer called clear cell renal cell carcinoma and a type of noncancerous tumor called a pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytomas affect the adrenal glands, which are small hormone-producing glands located on top of each kidney. These tumors often cause no symptoms, but in some cases they can produce an excess of hormones that cause dangerously high blood pressure.
About 10 percent of people with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome develop endolymphatic sac tumors, which are noncancerous tumors in the inner ear. These growths can cause hearing loss in one or both ears, as well as ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and problems with balance.
Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome can be divided into two major types based on the risk of developing pheochromocytomas. Type 1 von Hippel-Lindau syndrome is associated with a low risk of these tumors, and type 2 is characterized by a much higher risk. Type 2 can be further divided into types 2A, 2B, and 2C, depending on the probability of developing renal cell carcinoma and hemangioblastomas.
How common is von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
The incidence of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome is estimated to be 1 in 36,000 individuals.
What genes are related to von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
Mutations in the VHL gene cause von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. The VHL gene is a tumor suppressor gene, which means it keeps cells from growing and dividing too rapidly or in an uncontrolled way. Mutations in this gene prevent production of the VHL protein or lead to the production of an abnormal version of the protein. An altered or missing VHL protein cannot effectively regulate cell survival and division. As a result, cells grow and divide uncontrollably to form the tumors and cysts that are characteristic of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.
Read more about the VHL gene.
How do people inherit von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
Mutations in the VHL gene are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase the risk of developing tumors and cysts. Most people with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome inherit an altered copy of the gene from an affected parent. In about 20 percent of cases, however, the altered gene is the result of a new mutation that occurred during the formation of reproductive cells (eggs or sperm) or very early in development.
Unlike most autosomal dominant conditions, in which one altered copy of a gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder, two copies of the VHL gene must be altered to trigger tumor and cyst formation in von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. A mutation in the second copy of the VHL gene occurs during a person's lifetime in certain cells within organs such as the brain, retina, and kidneys. Cells with two altered copies of this gene make no functional VHL protein, which allows tumors and cysts to develop. Almost everyone who inherits one VHL mutation will eventually acquire a mutation in the second copy of the gene in some cells, leading to the features of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.
Where can I find information about treatment for von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
These resources address the management of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and may include treatment providers.
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Gene Review
Genetic Alliance
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Pheochromocytoma
MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Renal Cell Carcinoma
You might also find information on treatment of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome in Educational resources and Patient support.
Where can I find additional information about von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
You may find the following resources about von Hippel-Lindau syndrome helpful. These materials are written for the general public.
MedlinePlus - Health information (5 links)
Additional NIH Resources - National Institutes of Health (4 links)
Educational resources - Information pages (8 links)
Patient support - For patients and families (4 links)
You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for healthcare professionals and researchers.
Gene Reviews - Clinical summary
Gene Tests - DNA tests ordered by healthcare professionals
ClinicalTrials.gov - Linking patients to medical research
PubMed - Recent literature
OMIM - Genetic disorder catalog
What other names do people use for von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
Angiomatosis retinae
Cerebelloretinal Angiomatosis, Familial
Hippel-Lindau Disease
VHL syndrome
von Hippel-Lindau Disease
See How are genetic conditions and genes named? in the Handbook.
What if I still have specific questions about von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.
Ask the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.
Submit your question to Ask the Geneticist.
Where can I find general information about genetic conditions?
The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language.
What does it mean if a disorder seems to run in my family?
What are the different ways in which a genetic condition can be inherited?
If a genetic disorder runs in my family, what are the chances that my children will have the condition?
Why are some genetic conditions more common in particular ethnic groups?
These links provide additional genetics resources that may be useful.
Genetics and health
Resources for Patients and Families
Resources for Health Professionals
What glossary definitions help with understanding von Hippel-Lindau syndrome?
adrenal glands ; angioma ; ataxia ; autosomal ; autosomal dominant ; cancer ; carcinoma ; cell ; cysts ; egg ; familial ; gene ; hemangioblastoma ; hormone ; incidence ; kidney ; mutation ; new mutation ; pancreas ; pheochromocytoma ; probability ; protein ; renal ; reproductive cells ; retina ; sign ; sperm ; symptom ; syndrome ; tinnitus ; tissue ; tumor ; tumor suppressor gene
You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary.
References (7 links)
The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.
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