[von Hippel-Lindau hereditary tumor syndrome. Mutational analysis may improve prognosis]

The von Hippel-Lindau disease is a familial tumour syndrome characterised by greatly increased risks of developing central nervous haemangioma, renal cell carcinoma, retinal angioma and pheochromocytoma. Carriers have inherited a mutated tumour suppressor gene located at chromosome 3p25-26. The VHL gene has recently been cloned, three exons identified and the DNA sequence determined. A Swedish kindred comprising four generations and 41 individuals was investigated. Three living individuals with clinically verified VHL disease demonstrated a single base deletion of a cytosine residue at position 761 of the VHL gene, corresponding to amino acid 254. Among the remaining family members, two asymptomatic carriers of this VHL mutation were identified and offered a clinical follow-up programme for early detection and treatment of future VHL manifestations.