Brooke-Spiegler syndrome (BRSS or BSS) is a rare genetic condition resulting in a range of tumours derived from skin appendages (hair follicle tumours and sweat gland tumours). The syndrome includes the limited variants, familial cylindromatosis and multiple familial trichoepitheliomas (MFT1).
Brooke-Spiegler syndrome, familial cylindromatosis and multiple familial trichoepitheliomas are due to germline mutations in the cylindromatosis (CYLD) gene on chromosome 16q12. These disorders have an autosomal dominant inheritance, meaning half of an affected individual’s children will also have the condition.
CYLD functions as a tumour suppressor gene and has regulatory roles in development, immunity, and inflammation. To date, a total of 51 germline CYLD mutations have been found. A wide range of ethnic and racial backgrounds have been reported in affected patients and families.
Brooke-Spiegler syndrome results in a predisposition to three types of benign skin appendage tumour.
Brooke-Spiegler syndrome is also infrequently associated with salivary and parotid gland tumours.
Limited forms of the disease are:
Affected individuals typically present in late childhood to early adulthood with multiple papules and nodules on the scalp, face and neck. They develop increasing numbers of lesions over time. However, there is a wide variability of presentation within and between families with Brooke-Spiegler syndrome.
Although the tumours are usually considered harmless, there are reports of malignant transformation.
Brooke-Spiegler syndrome may be suspected if there is a family history of multiple benign skin tumours.
Cylindromas, trichoepitheliomas and spiradenomas are difficult to distinguish clinically. Therefore skin biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis.
Brooke-Spiegler syndrome is not curable. Possible treatment options for individual tumours include:
