Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome and Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome: An Effective Multidisciplinary Approach to Hereditary Renal Cancer Predisposing Syndromes

Mohammad Al-Shinnag; Helen Marfan; Rachel Susman; Jan Wakeling; Sonja Gustafson; Simon Wood; Andrew John Mallett

doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.738822

Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome and Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome: An Effective Multidisciplinary Approach to Hereditary Renal Cancer Predisposing Syndromes

Front Oncol. 2021 Sep 16:11:738822. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.738822. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Mohammad Al-Shinnag^{1

2}, Helen Marfan^{1

2}, Rachel Susman^{1

2}, Jan Wakeling², Sonja Gustafson^{3

4}, Simon Wood^{1

5}, Andrew John Mallett^{1

6

7

8}

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.
² Genetic Health Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia.
³ Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia.
⁴ Department of Medical Imaging, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
⁵ Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
⁶ Department of Renal Medicine, Townsville University Hospital, Douglas, QLD, Australia.
⁷ College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Douglas, QLD, Australia.
⁸ Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to describe and analyse clinical features, characteristics, and adherence to surveillance guidelines in an Australian Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD) and hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) cohort.

Methods: All identified patients with a diagnosis of BHD or HLRCC at RBWH 01/01/2014-01/09/2019 were included (HREC/17/QRBW/276). All patients were initially assessed and counselled by a clinical geneticist and then referred to an adult nephrologist. Baseline and incidental clinical variables were extracted and analysed.

Results: Fifty-seven patients were identified (28 BHD, 29 HLRCC) with a median age of 47 years. The median and cumulative follow-up were 1 and 99 years, respectively. Baseline renal MRI occurred in 40/57 patients, and 33/57 had regular MRI as per the national guidelines (eviQ). Of 18/57 without baseline imaging, nine were yet to have imaging, seven were lost follow-up, and two patients had logistic difficulties. RCC was diagnosed in 11/57 patients: two of 28 with BHD were diagnosed with RCC aged 73 and 77, both prior to commencement of surveillance. Nine of 29 patients with HLRCC were diagnosed with RCC (one of 29 during surveillance at 47 years of age) and eight of 29 prior to commencement of surveillance (11-55 years). Amongst BHD patients, cutaneous fibrofolliculomas were noted in 15 patients, lung cysts were detected in seven patients, spontaneous pneumothoraces in five patients, and parotid oncocytoma in two of 28. Amongst those with HLRCC, cutaneous leiomyomas were noted in 19/29, cutaneous leiomyosarcoma diagnosed in one of 29, and uterine fibroids in 13 female patients.

Conclusion: Evidence-based RCC screening in BHD and HLRCC cohort is feasible and able to identify incidental renal lesions. Multidisciplinary patient management enables expedited genetic counselling, diagnosis, longitudinal screening, and RCC management. The success of this clinical model warrants consideration of undertaking longitudinal screening of BHD and HLRCC patients by nephrologists.

Keywords: Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome; hereditary leiomyoma and renal cell carcinoma syndrome; multidisciplinary (care or team); renal cell cancer; surveillance.