What are the symptoms of hypothalamic hamartoma?
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What are the symptoms of hypothalamic hamartoma?
The symptoms of a hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) can include:
- Seizures.
- Precocious (early) puberty.
- Hormone imbalances.
- Cognitive impairment.
- Behavioral problems.
- Emotional difficulties.
How many people have hypothalamic hamartoma?
While the exact number of people with hypothalamic hamartomas is not known, HH is estimated to occur in 1 out of 200,000 children and teenagers worldwide. This estimate, which may be low since HH is hard to detect, suggests that there are about 30,000 in the world living with HH.
What causes hypothalamic hamartoma?
Causes of hypothalamic hamartomas Hypothalamic hamartomas emerge during the development of the embryo and fetus and are present at birth. In most cases, their cause is not known. In some cases, genetic disorders can be found.
Can hypothalamic hamartoma be cured?
A hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a noncancerous growth in your hypothalamus, deep in the base of your brain. It can cause hormone imbalances, seizures, cognitive dysfunction and other symptoms. Medication and brain surgery are the most common treatments for HH.
Do hamartomas grow?
Hamartomas are noncancerous growths that can appear anywhere on the body. While seen as harmless, these benign tumors can grow to large sizes and cause pressure on surrounding tissues. Depending on where they grow externally or internally, hamartomas can cause life-threatening symptoms.
Can hamartomas become cancerous?
Hamartomas and Cowden Syndrome In addition to multiple hamartomas (related to a form of PTEN gene mutation,) people with this syndrome often develop cancers of the breast, thyroid, and uterus, often beginning in their 30s and 40s.
Can hamartomas shrink?
Be sure to discuss your options with your doctor. A less invasive option, specifically for hypothalamic hamartoma growths, is gamma knife radiosurgery. This procedure uses multiple radiation beams to destroy the tumor cells. The concentrated beams will shrink the hamartoma growths.
