Diagnostic challenges in a CMMRD patient with a novel mutation in the PMS2 gene: a case report

BACKGROUND: Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) is a rare autosomal recessive condition, which is caused by biallelic mutations in mismatch repair genes: MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, and PMS2. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a unique case of an 11-year-old Chinese girl with colorectal polyposis and café-au-lait macules who had no obvious family history of Lynch syndrome-associated tumors, followed by brain gliomas and colorectal carcinoma five years later. The diagnosis of CMMRD was based on gene sequencing analysis showing a homozygous deletion NM_00535.5:c.1577delA (p.Asp526fs) in exon 11 of the PMS2 gene. Although the patient underwent surgery and radiation therapy, and close surveillances including radiological, endoscopic and hematological screening have been recommended, she died of the exacerbation of neurological symptoms at the age of 18. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a novel homozygous deletion in the PMS2 gene in a CMMRD patient with complex clinical features. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12920-021-01031-9.