Early-onset renal cell carcinoma in PTEN harmatoma tumour syndrome

Individuals with PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS), including Cowden syndrome (CS), are susceptible to multiple benign hamartomas and an increased risk of cancer, particularly breast, endometrial, and thyroid. As a result, individuals undergo enhanced surveillance for early detection of these cancers. However, less commonly occurring cancers, such as colorectal and kidney, have insufficient guidelines for early detection. Currently, screening for kidney cancer via renal ultrasound begins at 40 years of age, because there were only rare cases of elevated risk in prospective series under 40. There have, however, been accumulating reports of kidney cancer in individuals with CS in their 30s, illustrating a need to lower the age of surveillance. We present additional evidence of renal cell carcinoma in two individuals with CS in their early twenties, and propose a reassessment of the abdominal surveillance in patients with PHTS. We propose biannual screening for kidney cancer beginning at 20 years of age.