Carney complex is a genetic disorder that increases the risk of tumors and cancers, especially of the skin and heart. It is characterized by benign tumors and lesions on the skin, heart, breast, bones, and pituitary gland. Early diagnosis is important to prevent complications.
Carney complex is a medical condition that increases the risk of getting cancers and tumors, especially of the skin and heart. It is classified as an autosomal dominant disorder, meaning the condition is genetic and can be passed on if one parent has the condition and carries a faulty gene. This also means that there is a 50% chance that the condition can be passed from parent to child. The Carney complex derives its name from J. Alden Carney, who, in 1985, observed joint symptoms of tumors, brown pigments, and an overactive endocrine system.
There are several other names that Carney’s complex is known by, depending on the symptoms observed. One is LAMB syndrome. LAMB stands for “freckles, atrial myxomas, and blue nevi,” which refers to brown pigments, heart tumors, and bluish moles, respectively. The other name is the NAME syndrome which refers to the “nevi, atrial myxoma, myxoid neurofibromas and ephelides”, meaning moles, heart tumours, lesions and tumors on the skin and freckles respectively.
As mentioned above, some of the most obvious symptoms of Carney complex are tumors and lesions on and under the skin, usually experienced by teenagers or young adults. Abnormally large blue to black moles may also be observed. These tumors and moles usually emerge on the face and limbs, but some can also occur on the lips, around the eyes, and on the genitals. The main symptoms are also benign or non-cancerous tumors of the heart and breast, as well as of the bones and pituitary gland. Tumors, particularly in the pituitary glands, can cause enlargement of the face, hands and feet.
Other patients may also experience tumors in the tissues of other internal organs, such as the endocrine system, ovaries, testicles and thyroid gland. Tumors associated with Carney complex are usually benign, but there are occasions when malignant or cancerous tumors can develop. Often, patients are also advised to have benign heart tumors removed, as these tumors can block blood flow and can cause cardiac arrests and other heart complications. Sometimes pituitary tumors are also removed to restore proper growth hormone production.
Carney complex is a very rare condition, with fewer than 750 patients diagnosed with the disorder since its discovery. Early diagnosis and examination are key to preventing further complications and reducing your chances of getting cancer. A child with an affected parent should have regular skin, endocrine, and thyroid checkups, as well as an echocardiogram (ECG) to detect any blockages in the heart. Blood tests are also very important to monitor the production levels of certain hormones.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
