Detection of a germline mutation and somatic homozygous loss of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor-suppressor gene in a family with a de novo mutation

von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a pleiotropic disorder featuring a variety of malignant and benign tumors of the eye, central nervous system, kidney, and adrenal gland. Recently the VHL gene has been identified in the chromosomal region 3p25-26. Prognosis and successful management of VHL patients and their descendants depend on unambiguous diagnosis. Due to recurrent hemangioblastomas, a29-year-old patient without familial history of VHL disease was diagnosed to be at risk for the disease. Histopathological examination of a small renal mass identified a clear cell tumor with a G1 grading. Genetic characterization of the germline and of the renal tumor was performed. Polymerase chain reac…