SDHC
Associated conditions:
- Endocrine cancer
- Renal/urinary tract cancer
- Sarcoma
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumours
SDHC makes part of an enzyme that both generates cellular energy and acts as a tumour suppressor. Genetic changes in this gene are associated with an autosomal dominant predisposition to paragangliomas and phaeochromocytomas, usually slow-growing tumours along nerves and in the adrenal glands. Knowing your genetic status enables periodic hormone testing and imaging that find and remove these tumours early.
Conditions linked to SDHC
Endocrine cancer
Endocrine cancers affect hormone-producing glands such as the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands or pancreatic islet cells. Inherited variants can drive tumours in one or more of these glands, so awareness supports periodic hormone testing and imaging to catch changes early.
Renal/urinary tract cancer
Cancers of the kidney and urinary tract develop in the kidneys, ureters or bladder lining. Several inherited variants raise their risk, so carriers may be offered periodic kidney imaging and urine testing to catch tumours early.
Sarcoma
Sarcomas are cancers of connective tissues such as bone, muscle, fat and cartilage. Certain inherited syndromes raise their risk, so awareness supports prompt assessment of unexplained lumps or bone pain and, in some syndromes, imaging surveillance.
