How To Treat Cowden Syndrome

Cowden syndrome is a condition characterized by the development of numerous hamartomas at multiple different sites in the body. Cowden syndrome occurs in individuals who inherit genetic mutations in the tumor suppressor gene referred to as the PTEN gene. Individuals who have Cowden syndrome have a significantly higher risk of developing numerous types of cancer, including thyroid cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, and endometrial cancer than unaffected individuals. Cowden syndrome patients also commonly experience macrocephaly, noncancerous tumors of the hair follicles, hamartomatous polyps, and papillomatous papules around the mouth.