Von Hippel-Lindau disease VHL is a rare and genetic disease. VHL is characterized by the abnormal growth of tumors in certain areas of the body. Some tumors of VHL develop in the central nervous system and become benign and are made of nest blood vessels called hemangioblastomas. These hemangioblastomas can develop in the brain, the retina of the eyes and also in other areas of the central nervous system. Other tumors form in the adrenal glands, the kidneys and the pancreas. Some of the symptoms that show up are headaches, trouble with balance and walking, dizziness, weakness of the limbs, vision, and high blood pressure. Treatments depend on the size of the tumor. Most cases are treated by having surgery and removing the tumors before then can become harmful. However in some cases VHL can be treated with high focused doses of irradiation. Patients who have VHL need to have close monitoring from a doctor and a physician. Untreated tumors of VHL can result in blindness, and permanent brain damage. However death can occur from complications of the brain tumors or kidney cancer. Right now the search is on to find a way from preventing VHL.
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