TSC2

Tuberous Sclerosis 2

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The primary clinical characteristic of tuberous sclerosis of both types 1 and 2 are the occurrence of hamartomas at multiple anatomic sites.  Ocular lesions include those of the eyelids which often appear in early childhood along with other facial angiofibromas (formerly called adenoma sebaceum).  Of greater clinical significance are lesions of the optic nerve and retina reported in about 75% of patients.  The latter (astrocytic hamartomas) may appear as mulberry-like growths typically located in the peripapillary area or as flat translucent lesions located more peripherally.  These are usually static but aggressive growth with retinal detachment and neovascular glaucoma requiring enucleation has been reported in several patients.  Calcification of these lesions may occur in utero or early in life.  They are seldom of clinical significance although optic atrophy has been reported.  The ocular phenotype is similar in types 1 and 2.

Systemic Features: 

Hamartomas develop throughout the body in many organs such as the skin, brain, eye, kidney, and heart.  Ninety per cent of patients have skin lesions, including hypomelanotic patches called 'ashleaf' spots that can best be visualized under a Woods lamp.  Symptoms vary widely depending upon the location and size of the growths.  These appear as rhabdomyomas in the heart, angiomyolipomas in the kidneys, bone cysts, and oral fibromas.  Other intracranial growths such as subependymal astrocytomas and cortical tubers are evidence of CNS involvement that can interfere with brain function leading to seizures (in 80% of patients) and subnormal intellectual abilities (60-70% patients) as manifested by learning difficulties, subnormal IQs, as well as social and communication difficulties.   Hypoplasia of dental enamel with pitting in permanent teeth is seen in the majority of patients.  Some progression of tumor size and symptoms may occur.  Most hamartomas are benign but renal carcinoma has been reported in some patients.

There is some evidence that the clinical disease is more severe in this type (TSC2) than in type 1 (191100).  TSC2 has more hypomelanotic patches and brain tubers.  Cognitive defects are more severe.  Those with TSC2 mutations also have an earlier onset of seizures and a higher incidence of infantile spasms.

Genetics

This is the more severe and more common of the two tuberous sclerosis complex phenotypes.  It is caused by mutations in the TSC2 gene encoding tuberin on chromosome 16p13.3.  Genotyping is necessary to determine which mutation is responsible for the TS complex in each case as the phenotypic differences are inadequate to distinguish between types 1 and 2.

Many cases (two-thirds) occur sporadically but numerous reported pedigrees are consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance.  Type 1 TSC (191100) is caused by mutations in the TSC1 gene (9p34) encoding hamartin and is responsible for the disorder in about 25% of patients.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No effective preventative treatment exists but individual lesions can be surgically removed when indicated.

References
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