Hemangioblastoma diagnosis and surveillance in von Hippel–Lindau disease: a consensus statement

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kristin Huntoon ◽  
Matthew J. Shepard ◽  
Rimas V. Lukas ◽  
Ian E. McCutcheon ◽  
Anthony B. Daniels ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Hemangioblastomas are a frequent underlying cause of neurological morbidity and death in patients with von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL). Although these benign tumors can cause significant neurological debility when undetected and untreated, unified evidence-based surveillance recommendations for VHL patients have not been established. To develop consensus recommendations, the VHL Alliance established an expert committee, named the International VHL Surveillance Guidelines Consortium, to define surveillance recommendations. METHODS The Central Nervous System (CNS) Hemangioblastoma Subcommittee of the Guidelines Consortium was formed as a multidisciplinary team of experts in the diagnosis and management of hemangioblastomas. Recommendations were formulated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network Categories of Evidence and Consensus categorization after a comprehensive literature review. RESULTS Published studies (n = 49) that discussed age at onset, MRI frequency, natural history of VHL, and the risks and benefits of surveillance were analyzed. Based on this analysis, the authors recommend that clinical evaluation (yearly) be used as the primary screening tool for hemangioblastomas in VHL. The subcommittee suggests that screening be performed between the ages of 11 and 65 years, or with the onset of symptoms, for synchronicity with other testing regimens in VHL. The subcommittee also recommends that baseline MRI be first performed at the age of 11 years (suggested 2B, level of evidence D) or after identification of neurological symptoms or signs (if earlier) and continue every 2 years (recommended 2A, level of evidence A). CONCLUSIONS The CNS Hemangioblastoma Subcommittee of the International VHL Surveillance Guidelines Consortium here proposes guidelines that aim to increase the early detection of VHL-associated hemangioblastomas to reduce their morbidity and mortality.

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-244
Author(s):  
Marcelo Campos Moraes Amato ◽  
Caio César Marconato Simões Matias ◽  
João Alberto Assirati Junior ◽  
Aline Paixão Becker ◽  
Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior ◽  
...  

Hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system (CNS) are low-grade highly vascularized tumors that may be sporadic or associated with Von Hippel-Lindau disease. Extradural hemangioblastomas are uncommon and those located extra and intradurally are even rarer. This study uses an illustrative case and literature review to discuss the difficulties to consider the correct diagnosis and to select the best surgical approach. A 57 years-old white male patient presented with myelopathy and right C5 radiculopathy. The images showed a lobulated, hourglass shaped, highly enhanced extra/intradural lesion that occupied the spinal canal and widened the C4-C5 right intervertebral foramen. Total resection of the intradural lesion was achieved through a posterior approach, but the extradural part could only be partially removed. Complete improvement was observed after four months of follow-up and the residual tumor has been followed up clinically and radiologically. Even though the preoperative impression was of a spinal schwannoma, the histopathological examination revealed grade I hemangioblastoma as per WHO. Despite their rarity, current complementary exams allow considering the diagnosis of hemangioblastoma preoperatively. That is essential to a better surgical planning in view of the particular surgical features of this lesion.


Author(s):  
V. E. Kocharyan ◽  
T. G. Sarkisyan ◽  
G. I. Kovalev ◽  
G. G. Muzlaev ◽  
A. I. Bogrov

We report the rare case of 65-year-old male patient with supratentorial hemangioblastoma and gigantic cyst of the left hemisphere of the brain without von Hippel-Lindau disease. Hemangioblastoma is a rare benign tumor classified as grade I by the WHO of the central nervous system of uncertain histogenesis. This neoplasm’s stroma consists of dense networks of thin-walled blood vessels of various calibers. About 140 cases of supratentorial localization of this type of tumor are presented in the world literature. We have given a fairly complete clinical, neuroradiological and histological picture that allows one to differentiate hemangioblastoma from other histological structures. Promising modalities in the treatment of patients with this pathology when it is impossible to perform total tumor resection are considered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 227-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eamonn R Maher ◽  
Richard N Sandford

Abstract Purpose of Review In this review, we discuss the key molecular and clinical developments in VHL disease that have the potential to impact on the natural history of the disease and improve patient outcomes. Recent Findings Identifiable mutations in VHL underlie most cases of VHL and define clear genotype-phenotype correlations. Detailed clinical and molecular characterisation has allowed the implementation of lifelong screening programmes that have improved clinical outcomes. Functional characterisation of the VHL protein complex has revealed its role in oxygen sensing and the mechanisms of tumourigenesis that are now being exploited to develop novel therapies for VHL and renal cancer. Summary The molecular and cellular landscape of VHL-associated tumours is revealing new opportunities to modify the natural history of the disease and develop therapies. Drugs are now entering clinical trials and combined with improved clinical and molecular diagnosis, and lifelong surveillance programmes, further progress towards reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with VHL disease is anticipated.


2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Wanebo ◽  
Russell R. Lonser ◽  
Gladys M. Glenn ◽  
Edward H. Oldfield

Object. The goals of this study were to define the natural history and growth pattern of hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system (CNS) that are associated with von Hippel—Lindau (VHL) disease and to correlate features of hemangioblastomas that are associated with the development of symptoms and the need for treatment. Methods. The authors reviewed serial magnetic resonance images and clinical histories of 160 consecutive patients with VHL disease who harbored CNS hemangioblastomas and serially measured the volumes of tumors and associated cysts. Six hundred fifty-five hemangioblastomas were identified in the cerebellum (250 tumors), brainstem (64 tumors, all of which were located in the posterior medulla oblongata), spinal cord (331 tumors, 96% of which were located in the posterior half of spinal cord), and the supratentorial brain (10 tumors). The symptoms were related to a mass effect. A serial increase in hemangioblastoma size was observed in cerebellar, brainstem, and spinal cord tumors as patients progressed from being asymptomatic to symptomatic and requiring surgery (p < 0.0001). Twenty-one (72%) of 29 symptom-producing cerebellar tumors had an associated cyst, whereas only 28 (13%) of 221 nonsymptomatic cerebellar tumors had tumor-associated cysts (p < 0.0001). Nine (75%) of 12 symptomatic brainstem tumors had associated cysts, compared with only four (8%) of 52 nonsymptomatic brainstem lesions (p < 0.0001). By the time the symptoms appeared and surgery was required, the cyst was larger than the causative tumor; cerebellar and brainstem cysts measured 34 and 19 times the size of their associated tumors at surgery, respectively. Ninety-five percent of symptom-producing spinal hemangioblastomas were associated with syringomyelia. The clinical circumstance was dynamic. Among the 88 patients who had undergone serial imaging for 6 months or longer (median 32 months), 164 (44%) of 373 hemangioblastomas and 37 (67%) of 55 tumor-associated cysts enlarged. No tumors or cysts spontaneously diminished in size. Symptomatic cerebellar and brainstem tumors grew at rates six and nine times greater, respectively, than asymptomatic tumors in the same regions. Cysts enlarged seven (cerebellum) and 15 (brainstem) times faster than the hemangioblastomas causing them. Hemangioblastomas frequently demonstrated a pattern of growth in which they would enlarge for a period of time (growth phase) and then stabilize in a period of arrested growth (quiescent phase). Of 69 patients with documented tumor growth, 18 (26%) harbored tumors with at least two growth phases. Of 160 patients with hemangioblastomas, 34 patients (median follow up 51 months) were found to have 115 new hemangioblastomas and 15 patients new tumor-associated cysts. Conclusions. In this study the authors define the natural history of CNS hemangioblastomas associated with VHL disease. Not only were cysts commonly associated with cerebellar, brainstem, and spinal hemangioblastomas, the pace of enlargement was much faster for cysts than for hemangioblastomas. By the time symptoms appeared, the majority of mass effect—producing symptoms derived from the cyst, rather than from the tumor causing the cyst. These tumors often have multiple periods of tumor growth separated by periods of arrested growth, and many untreated tumors may remain the same size for several years. These characteristics must be considered when determining the optimal timing of screening for individual patients and for evaluating the timing and results of treatment.


1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Christophe Ouallet ◽  
Kathlyn Marsot-Dupuch ◽  
Remy Van Effenterre ◽  
Michele Kujas ◽  
Jean-Michel Tubiana

✓ This report describes a patient with von Hippel—Lindau disease who presented with an 8-year history of a slow-growing, locally invasive vascularized lesion of the temporal bone involving the cerebellopontine angle. The mass, studied by computerized tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging techniques, was partly cystic in appearance. After removal of the mass, pathological studies confirmed a papillary cystic tumor with characteristics that have been described in tumors with an endolymphatic sac origin. These rare neoplasms constitute a distinct pathological entity and deserve wider recognition.


QJM ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 1151-1163 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. MAHER ◽  
J. R. W. YATES ◽  
R. HARRIES ◽  
C. BENJAMIN ◽  
R. HARRIS ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (7) ◽  
pp. 942-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Louise Mølgaard Binderup ◽  
Anne-Sophie Stendell ◽  
Michael Galanakis ◽  
Hans Ulrik Møller ◽  
Jens F Kiilgaard ◽  
...  

Background and aimsWe aimed to determine the frequency of von Hippel-Lindau disease (vHL) as the underlying cause of retinal hemangioblastoma and to estimate retinal hemangioblastoma incidence and prevalence in a national cohort study.MethodsThrough the national patient register and vHL research database, we identified 81 patients diagnosed with a retinal hemangioblastoma in Denmark between 1977 and 2014. Consent was obtained for 54 living and 10 deceased patients with retinal hemangioblastoma. For each participant, we collected medical records and family information. Almost all (63 of 64) participants were or had previously been tested for mutations in the VHL gene.ResultsOverall, 84% of the participants (54 of the 64) had vHL. Compared with the non-vHL patients, the vHL patients had their first retinal hemangioblastoma at a younger age (22.5 vs 40 years), and were more likely to have an asymptomatic first hemangioblastoma (80% vs 20%). Overall, 76% (41 of 54) of the vHL patients had a family history of vHL, while none of the patients without vHL did. Despite the rarity of the disease, on average more than eight new tumours are diagnosed each year due to multiple tumour development in vHL patients. The estimated prevalence of patients with retinal hemangioblastoma was up to 1 in 73 080 individuals.ConclusionIn the first national study in which almost all participants were genetically tested, vHL was the underlying cause of retinal hemangioblastoma in 84% of cases; more often than previously reported. We recommend that genetic and clinical vHL screening should be performed in all patients with retinal hemangioblastoma.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maran Ilanchezhian ◽  
Reinier Alvarez ◽  
Amanda Carbonell ◽  
Brigitte C. Widemann ◽  
Prashant Chittiboina ◽  
...  

Abstract Von Hippel-Lindau disease is an inherited, autosomal dominant tumor predisposition syndrome which leads to susceptibility for developing hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system and retina, as well as other tumor types. No approved systemic therapies exist for this disease. Here, we present a patient diagnosed with Von Hippel-Lindau disease, with central nervous system and retinal hemangioblastomas, treated with propranolol and subsequently with Lanreotide. On both treatments, the patient showed notable symptom improvement. In addition, since starting Lanreotide, the patients hemangioblastoma has remained stable on imaging. Based on the symptom improvement in this patient and other reported findings in the literature, propranolol and somatostatin agonist therapy may have an anti-tumor effect in Von Hippel-Lindau associated hemangioblastomas; however, further investigation is warranted.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 114-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander O. Vortmeyer ◽  
Ahmed K. Alomari

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a tumor syndrome that frequently involves the central nervous system (CNS). It is caused by germline mutation of the VHL gene. Subsequent VHL inactivation in selected cells is followed by numerous well-characterized molecular consequences, in particular, activation and stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factors HIF1 and HIF2. The link between VHL gene inactivation and tumorigenesis remains poorly understood. Hemangioblastomas are the most common manifestation in the CNS; however, CNS invasion by VHL disease-associated endolymphatic sac tumors or metastatic renal cancer also occur, and their differentiation from primary hemangioblastoma may be challenging. Finally, in this review, we present recent morphologic insights on the developmental concept of VHL tumorigenesis which is best explained by pathologic persistence of temporary embryonic progenitor cells. 


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