Invasive breast carcinoma - IARC

Cowden syndrome
C. Eng
D e f i n i t i o n
Cowden syndrome (CS) is an autosomal
dominant disorder caused by
g e rmline mutaions of the P T E N gene. It
is characterized by multiple hamartomas
involving organs derived from all
t h ree germ cell layers and a high risk of
b reast, uterine and non-medullary thyroid
cancer. The classic hamartoma is
the trichilemmoma and is pathognomonic
for CS.
MIM No. 158350 {1835}
would have developed the mucocutaneous
stigmata although any of the feat
u res could be present alre a d y.
Because the clinical literature on CS
consists mostly of re p o rts of the most
florid and unusual families or case
re p o rts by subspecialists interested in
their respective organ systems, the
spectrum of component signs is
unknown.
Despite this, the most commonly
re p o rted manifestations are mucocutaneous
lesions, thyroid abnorm a l i t i e s ,
f i b rocystic disease and carcinoma of
the breast, gastrointestinal hamartomas,
multiple, early-onset uterine
leiomyoma, macrocephaly (specificall
y, megencephaly) and mental re t a rd a-
tion {1133, 1693,1748,2776}. Recent
data have suggested that endometrial
c a rcinoma should be a component
cancer of CS {657,786,1772}. What its
f requency is in mutation carriers is as
yet unknown.
S y n o n y m s
Cowden disease, multiple hamart o m a
s y n d ro m e .
I n c i d e n c e
The single most comprehensive clinical
epidemiologic study before the CS susceptibility
gene was identified estimated
the prevalence to be 1:1 000 000
{1990,2776}. Once the gene was identified
{1654}, a molecular-based estimate
of prevalence in the same population
was 1:300 000 {1989}. Because
of the difficulty in recognizing this synd
rome, prevalence figures are likely
u n d e re s t i m a t e d .
Diagnostic criteria
Because of the variable and bro a d
e x p ression of CS and the lack of unif
o rm diagnostic criteria prior to 1996,
the International Cowden Consort i u m
{1990} compiled operational diagnostic
criteria for CS, based on the published
l i t e r a t u re and their own clinical experience
{785}. These criteria have been
recently revised in light of new data,
and have been adopted by the USbased
National Compre h e n s i v e
Cancer Network Practice Guidelines
{786,1299}. Trichilemommas and papillomatous
papules are part i c u l a r l y
i m p o rtant to recognize. CS usually
p resents by the late 20's. It has variable
expression and, pro b a b l y, an agerelated
penetrance although the exact
penetrance is unknown. By the third
decade, 99% of affected individuals
Table 8.07
International Cowden Syndrome Consortium Operational Criteria for the Diagnosis of Cowden Syndrome
(Ver. 2000)*.
Pathognomonic
criteria
Major criteria
Minor criteria
Operational diagnosis
in an individual
Operational diagnosis in a
family where one individual
is diagnostic for Cowden
Mucocutanous lesions:
Trichilemmomas, facial
Acral keratoses
Papillomatous papules
Mucosal lesions
Breast carcinoma
Thyroid carcinoma (non-medullary), esp. follicular thyroid carcinoma
Macrocephaly (Megalencephaly) (say, >97%ile)
Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD)
Endometrial carcinoma
Other thyroid lesions (e.g. adenoma or multinodular goiter)
Mental retardation (say, IQ < 75)
GI hamartomas
Fibrocystic disease of the breast
Lipomas
Fibromas
GU tumours (e.g. renal cell carcinoma, uterine fibroids) or malformation
1. Mucocutanous lesions alone if:
a) there are 6 or more facial papules, of which 3 or more
must be trichilemmoma, or
b) cutaneous facial papules and oral mucosal papillomatosis, or
c) oral mucosal papillomatosis and acral keratoses, or
d) palmoplantar keratoses, 6 or more
2. Two major criteria but one must include macrocephaly or LDD
3. One major and 3 minor criteria
4. Four minor criteria
1. The pathognomonic criterion/ia
2. Any one major criterion with or without minor criteria
3. Two minor criteria
*Operational diagnostic criteria are reviewed and revised on a continuous basis as new clinical and genetic information
becomes available. The 1995 version and 2000 version have been accepted by the US-based National
Comprehensive Cancer Network High Risk/Genetics Panel.
Cowden syndrome 355