This test analyzes the PTCH1 and SUFU genes, which are associated with basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS). BCNS, also known as Gorlin syndrome, is a multisystemic neurocutaneous condition that increases the risk of developing various tumors—most notably, basal cell carcinomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumors. Other features include bifid ribs, palmar pits, and macrocephaly.
Genetic testing of these genes may confirm a diagnosis and help guide treatment and management decisions. Identification of a disease-causing variant would also guide testing and diagnosis of at-risk relatives. This test is specifically designed for heritable germline mutations and is not appropriate for the detection of somatic mutations in tumor tissue.
PTCH1 SUFU
PTCH2
Preliminary-evidence genes currently have early evidence of a clinical association with the specific disease covered by this test. Some clinicians may wish to include a gene which does not currently have a definitive clinical association, but which may prove to be clinically significant in the future. This gene can be added at no additional charge. Visit our Preliminary-evidence genes page to learn more.
Preliminary-evidence genes currently have early evidence of a clinical association with the specific disease covered by this test. Some clinicians may wish to include a gene which does not currently have a definitive clinical association, but which may prove to be clinically significant in the future. This gene can be added at no additional charge. Visit our Preliminary-evidence genes page to learn more.
PTCH2
Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS), also known as Gorlin syndrome, is characterized by the early development of numerous basal cell carcinomas. Other associated tumor types include benign cutaneous cysts, cardiac and ovarian fibromas, and medulloblastomas. Additional features include benign jaw cysts, palmar pits, calcification of the cranial sutures, bridged sella turcica, clefting, polydactyly, and bifid ribs. Affected individuals may also present with macrocephaly, hypertelorism, and frontal bossing. BCNS has a variable clinical presentation: Not all affected individuals will present with all of these symptoms.
Individuals with BCNS have a 90% risk of developing multiple basal cell skin cancers. Approximately 5% of affected children will develop medulloblastoma, a type of brainstem tumor. Individuals with pathogenic SUFU variants have been reported to have a substantially higher risk of developing medulloblastoma (~30%) compared to those with a PTCH1 pathogenic variant (<2%). The risk of other malignant tumors is currently unclear. BCNS is highly variable, meaning individuals with BCNS may present differently, even among family members. Because we cannot predict which cancers may develop, additional medical management strategies focused on cancer prevention and early detection may benefit most patients who are found to have a pathogenic variant.
Pathogenic variants in PTCH1 and SUFU account for an estimated 70% and 6% of clinically diagnosed cases of BCNS, respectively.
Approximately 70%–80% of BCNS cases are inherited from an affected parent in an autosomal dominant pattern. The remainder are sporadic and occur as the result of a spontaneous de novo mutation.
The prevalence of BCNS is estimated at 1 in 18,000 to 1 in 30,000 individuals.
Testing for BCNS may be considered in individuals with the following:
Diagnostic criteria and surveillance recommendations have been proposed at the first international colloquium on BCNS in 2011:
Invitae is a College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified clinical diagnostic laboratory performing full-gene sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis using next-generation sequencing technology (NGS).
Our sequence analysis covers clinically important regions of each gene, including coding exons, +/- 10 base pairs of adjacent intronic sequence in the transcript listed below. In addition, analysis covers the select non-coding variants specifically defined in the table below. Any variants that fall outside these regions are not analyzed. Any specific limitations in the analysis of these genes are also listed in the table below.
Based on validation study results, this assay achieves >99% analytical sensitivity and specificity for single nucleotide variants, insertions and deletions <15bp in length, and exon-level deletions and duplications. Invitae's methods also detect insertions and deletions larger than 15bp but smaller than a full exon but sensitivity for these may be marginally reduced. Invitae’s deletion/duplication analysis determines copy number at a single exon resolution at virtually all targeted exons. However, in rare situations, single-exon copy number events may not be analyzed due to inherent sequence properties or isolated reduction in data quality. Certain types of variants, such as structural rearrangements (e.g. inversions, gene conversion events, translocations, etc.) or variants embedded in sequence with complex architecture (e.g. short tandem repeats or segmental duplications), may not be detected. Additionally, it may not be possible to fully resolve certain details about variants, such as mosaicism, phasing, or mapping ambiguity. Unless explicitly guaranteed, sequence changes in the promoter, non-coding exons, and other non-coding regions are not covered by this assay. Please consult the test definition on our website for details regarding regions or types of variants that are covered or excluded for this test. This report reflects the analysis of an extracted genomic DNA sample. In very rare cases, (circulating hematolymphoid neoplasm, bone marrow transplant, recent blood transfusion) the analyzed DNA may not represent the patient's constitutional genome.
Gene | Transcript reference | Sequencing analysis | Deletion/Duplication analysis |
---|---|---|---|
PTCH1 | NM_000264.3 | ||
PTCH2 | NM_003738.4 | ||
SUFU | NM_016169.3 |