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Do I need to stay out of the sun? |
- In Gorlin Syndrome patients are at a
greater risk of developing BCCs it is therefore recommended that people take
care in the sun. It is advisable to use a sun block or a very high factor
sun screen. It is also recommended that hats and long sleeves are worn to
protect from the sun's harmful rays.
|
| Is there evidence stress increases the
chance of developing further basal cell carcinomas (BCCs)? |
- No hard and fast rule. In some people
they do slow down with age, in others there is little difference.
|
How effective is laser treatment for
the removal of BCCs?
|
- Laser treatment is one of a number of
treatments for BCCs. It can be good on an early BCC, burning off
superficial areas of the skin and leaving little damage. If laser
treatment is used on thicker lesions there will be scarring and lots of laser
treatment on the face may become a problem.
|
|
Is there evidence stress increases the
chance of developing further basal cell carcinomas (BCCs)? |
- Stress does not cause further BCCs but it
cannot be denied that stress can damp down the immune system.
|
| What is PDT? |
- PDT or Photodynamic Therapy is a
relatively new treatment which is increasingly being used for the treatment of
BCCs. It is a non-invasive technique involving the interaction of light with a
photosensitizing agent. The photosensitizer is applied to target tissue
followed by exposure to the light source.
|
|
Should I be x-rayed for jaw cysts?
|
- Jaw cysts should be treated when small.
The only sure way of detecting a jaw cyst is by x-ray. It is therefore sensible
for regular x-rays at intervals recommended by your geneticist or oral
consultant and this will be dependent upon the number of cysts within each
individual.
|
|
Can I donate blood?
|
- Yes. Once blood has been donated it goes
through a process which ensures it is safe for transfusion.
|
|
I would like children but I have
Gorlin Syndrome. What should I do? |
- There is a 50% risk that a child will
inherit the condition. It is important to point out that you do have choices.
Speak to your Doctor or Geneticist, they will be in a position to offer
information and advice about the condition, as well as offering guidance on
pregnancy and child birth.
|
|
Does the size of the head mean
problems during childbirth? |
- In pregnancy and childbirth 72% - 80% of
women needed forceps or caesarean section during childbirth.
|
|
What are ovarian fibromas?
|
- They are solid benign lumps on the ovary
which often become calcified. 25% - 30% of Gorlin women are affected by ovarian
fibroma and/or calcification. They cause no problems unless they are large.
|
|
If a fibroma is found does it normally
have to be removed? |
- Only if it is causing problems, i.e.
sometimes when the ovary twists round the pedicle, it can stangulate the blood
supply. Usually the fibroma, not the ovary is removed. Sometimes cysts develop on the ovaries during the menstrual cycle. These can be left and monitored unless they have an unusual appearance, in which case these too can be removed but only on the advice of healthcare professionals with experience of Gorlin Syndrome.
|
|
How common are ovarian fibromas in the
syndrome? |
- Studies show that about 25% of women have fibromas. They cause no problems unless they are large. There is no evidence
that they affect fertility.
|
|
Is there a rule on the frequency of
ultrasound scans for fibromas/cysts? |
- There is at present no protocol for
regular screening for ovarian fibromas/cysts. If the patient requested screening
it would be advised that healthcare professionals with experience of Gorlin
Syndrome did it.
|
Can ovarian fibromas / cysts affect fertility?
|
- There is no evidence to suggest that
fibromas or cysts affect fertility.
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