Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome is also known as fibrofolliculoma with trichodiscoma and acrochordon. Canadian physicians Birt, Hogg and Dube first described it in 1977.
What is Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome?
Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant inherited condition characterised by the development of benign (non-cancerous) tumours on the head, face and upper body. The three benign skin tumours involved in this condition are:
- fibrofolliculoma – tumour developing in hair follicles
- trichodiscoma – tumour of the hair disc
- acrochordon – skin tags (but these are very common and are only rarely associated with Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome)
People with this syndrome are at increased risk for developing colon or kidney cancer as well as spontaneous pneumothorax (lung collapse) due to pulmonary (lung) cysts.
What are the signs and symptoms of Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome?
Painless, small, papular skin lesions develop gradually over the scalp, face, neck, chest and back. Lesions usually develop at around age 30 or 40 years, although they have been found in younger patients and they are not always present in people with the abnormal BHD gene. Features of lesions are:
- Fibrofolliculoma and trichodiscoma have similar appearance and are small (2-4mm), white-to-flesh coloured, smooth, dome-shaped bumps.
- Acrochordons or skin tags are small, soft 1-2mm bumps that look like a wart with a thin neck.
- May be anywhere from two to over a hundred lesions present.
- Once developed, skin lesions are permanent.
What is the cause of Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome?
Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome is due to mutation in the BHD gene on chromosome 17p12-q11.2 encoding a protein called folliculin. It is not known why this mutation occurs. The syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition meaning half of an affected person's children will also be affected.
How is the diagnosis made?
As the BHD gene had been identified, a gene test is the best definitive method of diagnosis for BHDS. This test is available in main centres.
Skin biopsy of a lesion may also be performed to identify the nature of the lesion. Fibrofolliculomas / trichodiscomas have . Adults with a positive gene test result for Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome should also undergo renal ultrasound and/or abdominal CT/ MRI to determine if there are any associated problems or malignancies. They may also undergo chest x-ray and colonoscopy.
What is the treatment for Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome?
Patients with Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome need to undergo medical and physical examinations and appropriate laboratory and radiographic tests on a regular basis to check for internal complications such as kidney carcinoma, pulmonary cysts, and pneumothorax.
No specific medical treatment exists for the skin lesions of Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. Although the skin tumours are benign they may become disfiguring if multiple lesions occur. The following skin procedures may be helpful in removing lesions, although recurrence is common.
- OMIM – Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (search term Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome)
- Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome – emedicine dermatology, the online textbook
- Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome – GeneTests GeneReviews
- Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome.org – BHD Family Alliance and The Myrovlytis Trust
On DermNet NZ:
- Birt Hogg Dube Family Alliance
- BIRT-HOGG-DUBE SYNDROME #135150 – OMIM
- Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome – Orphanet
Books about skin diseases:
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