Cowden Syndrome: report of a case and brief review of literature

An Bras Dermatol. 2013 Nov-Dec;88(6 Suppl 1):52-5. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132578.

Abstract

We present the case of a female patient with facial cutaneous lesions, a cobblestone-like pattern of the oral mucosa, and verruciform lesions on the hand since her youth. She reported a history of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, melanoma and multiple benign tumors and cysts. PTEN gene analysis was performed and confirmed Cowden Syndrome, a rare genodermatosis with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, characterized by multiple hamartomas. The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene negatively regulates cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Loss of PTEN function contributes to an increased risk of cancer. We emphasize the importance of early detection and accurate management of Cowden Syndrome.

Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente com lesões cutâneas faciais, mucosa oral com aparência de paralelepípedo, e lesões de aspecto verrucoso na mão desde a sua juventude. Ela relatou uma história de câncer de mama, câncer de endométrio, melanoma e múltiplos tumores benignos e cistos. A análise genética PTEN foi realizada e confirmou a Síndrome de Cowden, uma genodermatose rara, com um padrão de herança autossômica dominante, caracterizada por múltiplos hamartomas. O gene homólogo de fosfatase e angiotensina (PTEN) regula negativamente a proliferação celular e a progressão do ciclo celular. A perda da função PTEN contribui para um aumento do risco de câncer. Ressaltamos a importância da detecção precoce e tratamento preciso da Síndrome de Cowden.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Breast Neoplasms / complications
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple / genetics
  • Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • PTEN protein, human