Index
Do you know anything about this disease? Learn more about this strange disease today.
Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic disorder that causes benign tumors in different organs, primarily in the lungs, brain, heart, kidneys, eyes, and skin.
The aspects of this condition that most impact the quality of life is usually associated with the brain: seizures, developmental delay, mental retardation, and autism.
However, many people with tuberous sclerosis live a healthy life, are independent, and enjoy full development of their professional skills, such as teachers, lawyers, researchers, and doctors.
The incidence and severity of various aspects of tuberous sclerosis can vary widely among individuals, even among identical twins.
How is it diagnosed?
Because tuberous sclerosis can manifest itself in many different ways, a diagnosis is usually made when doctors identify two main characteristics in a single individual.
An important feature is a cardiac rhabdomyoma, an abnormal growth in the heart muscle that usually occurs in young children and sometimes when performing an ultrasound examination during pregnancy.
Other important characteristics are specific abnormal growths of the skin or skin pigmentation and non-malignant tumors. In addition, other minor features of tuberous sclerosis could be diagnostic if you encounter an essential characteristic of the same person.
Genetic tests can also diagnose this condition.
What is the average life expectancy of an individual with tuberous sclerosis?
Most people with this disease will live everyday life. Some organs may have complications, such as the kidneys and the brain, that can lead to severe difficulties and even death if not treated in time.
To reduce these dangers, people should be monitored by their trusted doctors throughout their lives to avoid potential complications.
