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Registered Charity No: 1096361 |
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Supporting patients, their families, friends and carers affected by Gorlin Syndrome
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Surveillance
Diagnosis is vital for subsequent
surveillance for complications such as basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and jaw
cysts, and for giving genetic information.
Families should be offered regular
screening, ideally with one clinician or genetic department monitoring and
co-ordinating the care.
| During pregnancy |
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most babies with Gorlin Syndrome
have large heads and so may need assistance in delivery either by forceps or
by Caesarean section. |
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an ultrasound scan my help in
predicting this. |
| Neonatal Physical Examination |
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when the baby is born, it may be
apparent that he or she has a larger than average head circumference which
would raise the suspicion that the baby has inherited the condition. |
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in these cases X-rays may confirm
bifid ribs or vertebral anomalies. |
| Childhood |
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annual dental screening
should commence from about 8 years for the detection and early treatment of
jaw cysts. |
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there is also a need for at
least annual surveillance from the specialist taking responsibility for the
treatment of skin. |
| Adults |
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should inspect their skin regularly. |
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annual surveillance of the skin by a
Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist is recommended. |
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dental screening should continue
into adult life, its frequency depending on the findings of each X-ray. New
jaw cysts seem to slow after the middle thirties. It is unusual (but not
impossible) for cysts to appear after this age. |
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Written and produced by Professor P A Farndon, Clinical
Geneticist at the National Genetics Education and Development Centre UK, Jim
Costello (deceased) & Margaret Costello, unless otherwise stated. |
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