Tumor development in three patients with Noonan syndrome

Eur J Pediatr. 2008 Sep;167(9):1025-31. doi: 10.1007/s00431-007-0636-3. Epub 2007 Dec 5.

Abstract

The diagnosis of Noonan syndrome is essentially clinical, based upon the distinct phenotype and the involvement of the cardiovascular system. Tumor development is a rare manifestation of Noonan syndrome but can be explained by the molecular pathophysiology involved in the disorder. We present three Noonan patients who developed solid tumors. The first patient, a 4-year-old girl, developed granular cell tumors as did her mother in childhood. The second patient, a 1-year-old boy, had a low grade pilocytic astrocytoma, the clinical expression of which was persistent headache. MRI showed a pituitary mass in the posterior lobe. It was surgically removed. The third patient, a 7-year-old boy was found to have Sertoli tumors in his right cryptorchid testis. All three patients fulfilled the clinical criteria for Noonan syndrome. However, genetic testing was negative in patients 1 and 3. The diagnosis of Noonan syndrome was made based on distinct phenotypic findings in three patients who had different types of tumors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytoma / complications*
  • Astrocytoma / genetics
  • Astrocytoma / surgery
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications*
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Granular Cell Tumor / complications*
  • Granular Cell Tumor / genetics
  • Granular Cell Tumor / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Noonan Syndrome / complications*
  • Noonan Syndrome / genetics
  • Noonan Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Seminoma / complications*
  • Seminoma / physiopathology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / complications*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / physiopathology