A decade (2001-2010) of genetic testing for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

• Published in: Hormone and metabolic research Vol. 44; no. 5; p. 359
• Main Authors: Buffet, A, Venisse, A, Nau, V, Roncellin, I, Boccio, V, Le Pottier, N, Boussion, M, Travers, C, Simian, C, Burnichon, N, Abermil, N, Favier, J, Jeunemaitre, X, Gimenez-Roqueplo, A-P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.05.2012
• Subjects: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms - diagnosis; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms - genetics; Biomarkers, Tumor - genetics; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Testing - history; History, 21st Century; Humans; Paraganglioma - diagnosis; Paraganglioma - genetics; Pheochromocytoma - diagnosis; Pheochromocytoma - genetics
• ISSN: 1439-4286
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1304594

The identification of 9 susceptibility genes for paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma between 2001 and 2010 has led to the development of routine genetic tests. To study the evolution in genetic screening for paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma over the past decade, we carried out a retrospective study on the tests performed in our laboratory from January 2001 to December 2010. A genetic test for paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma was assessed for 2 499 subjects, 1 620 index cases, and 879 presymptomatic familial genetic tests. A germline mutation in a PGL/PCC susceptibility gene was identified in 363 index cases (22.4%): 269 in SDHx genes (137 in SDHB, 100 in SDHD, 30 in SDHC, 2 in SDHA), 64 in VHL, 23 in RET, and 7 in TMEM127. A presymptomatic paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma test was positive in 427 subjects. Advances in molecular screening techniques led to an increase in the total number of mutation-carriers diagnosed each year. Overall, during the last decade, our laboratory identified a germline mutation in 44.7% of patients with a suspect hereditary PGL/PCC and in 8% of patients with an apparently sporadic PGL/PCC. During the past decade, the discoveries of new paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma susceptibility genes and the subsequent progress of molecular screening techniques have enabled us to diagnose a hereditary paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma in about 22% of patients tested in routine practice. This genetic testing is of major importance for the follow-up of affected patients and for the genetic counselling of their families.