Evaluating patients with a personal or family history suggestive of Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome
Establishing a diagnosis of BHD syndrome allowing for targeted cancer surveillance based on associated risks
Identifying variants within genes known to be associated with increased risk for BHD syndrome allowing for predictive testing of at-risk family members
This test utilizes next-generation sequencing to detect single nucleotide and copy number variants in the FLCN gene associated with Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome. See Method Description for additional details.
Identification of a disease-causing variant may assist with diagnosis, prognosis, clinical management, familial screening, and genetic counseling for BHD syndrome.
Sequence Capture and Next-Generation Sequencing/Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/Sanger Sequencing/Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA)
Birt
Birt-Hogg
Birt-Hogg-Dube
BHD
BHD syndrome
BHDS
NextGen Sequencing Test
Single gene
Fibrofolliculoma
Trichodiscoma
Angiofibroma
Pneumothorax
Perifollicular fibromas
renal cancer
hereditary cancer
folliculin
Varies
For a comprehensive hereditary renal cancer gene panel that includes testing for FLCN, consider RENCP / Hereditary Renal Cancer Panel, Varies.
Testing for the FLCN gene as part of a customized panel is available. For more information see CGPH / Custom Gene Panel, Hereditary, Next-Generation Sequencing, Varies.
Targeted testing for familial variants (also called site-specific or known mutations testing) is available for this gene. For more information see FMTT / Familial Variant, Targeted Testing, Varies. To obtain more information about this testing option, call 800-533-1710.
Patient Preparation: A previous bone marrow transplant from an allogenic donor will interfere with testing. For instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant, call 800-533-1710.
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA) or yellow top (ACD)
Acceptable: Green top (Sodium heparin)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Invert several times to mix blood.
2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient 4 days/Refrigerated 4 days/Frozen 4 days
Additional Information:
1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 4 days of collection. Extraction will be attempted for samples received after 4 days and DNA yield will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.
2. To ensure minimum volume and concentration of DNA is met, the preferred volume of blood must be submitted. Testing may be canceled if DNA requirements are inadequate.
Specimen Type: Saliva
Patient Preparation: Patient should not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum 30 minutes prior to collection.
Supplies: Saliva Collection Kit (T786)
Specimen Volume: 1 Swab
Collection Instructions: Collect and send specimen per kit instructions.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 30 days/Refrigerated 30 days
Additional information: Due to lower quantity/quality of DNA yielded from saliva, some aspects of the test may not perform as well as DNA extracted from a whole blood sample. When applicable, specific gene regions that were unable to be interrogated will be noted in the report. Alternatively, additional specimen may be required to complete testing.
1. New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. The following documents are available:
-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (T576)
-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (Spanish) (T826)
2. Molecular Genetics: Inherited Cancer Syndromes Patient Information Sheet (T519)
3. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.
Whole blood: 1 mL; Saliva: See Specimen Required
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Varies | Varies |
Evaluating patients with a personal or family history suggestive of Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome
Establishing a diagnosis of BHD syndrome allowing for targeted cancer surveillance based on associated risks
Identifying variants within genes known to be associated with increased risk for BHD syndrome allowing for predictive testing of at-risk family members
This test utilizes next-generation sequencing to detect single nucleotide and copy number variants in the FLCN gene associated with Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome. See Method Description for additional details.
Identification of a disease-causing variant may assist with diagnosis, prognosis, clinical management, familial screening, and genetic counseling for BHD syndrome.
Germline variants in the FLCN gene are associated with Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome. BHD syndrome is characterized by cutaneous manifestations (fibrofolliculomas, trichodiscomas/angiofibromas, perifollicular fibromas, and acrochordons), pulmonary cysts/history of pneumothorax, and various types of renal tumors. BHD syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and the penetrance is considered to be very high.(1-6)
While there is no consensus on clinical surveillance of BHD syndrome, many recommendations have been put forth for the individual manifestations of the condition by different groups, such as the National Cancer Institute.(4-6)
An interpretive report will be provided.
All detected variants are evaluated according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommendations.(7) Variants are classified based on known, predicted, or possible pathogenicity and reported with interpretive comments detailing their potential or known significance.
Clinical Correlations:
Test results should be interpreted in the context of clinical findings, family history, and other laboratory data. Misinterpretation of results may occur if the information provided is inaccurate or incomplete.
If testing was performed because of a clinically significant family history, it is often useful to first test an affected family member. Detection of a reportable variant in an affected family member would allow for more informative testing of at-risk individuals.
To discuss the availability of additional testing options or for assistance in the interpretation of these results, contact the Mayo Clinic Laboratories genetic counselors at 800-533-1710.
Technical Limitations:
Next-generation sequencing may not detect all types of genomic variants. In rare cases, false-negative or false-positive results may occur. The depth of coverage may be variable for some target regions; assay performance below the minimum acceptable criteria or for failed regions will be noted. Given these limitations, negative results do not rule out the diagnosis of a genetic disorder. If a specific clinical disorder is suspected, evaluation by alternative methods can be considered.
There may be regions of genes that cannot be effectively evaluated by sequencing or deletion and duplication analysis as a result of technical limitations of the assay, including regions of homology, high guanine-cytosine (GC) content, and repetitive sequences. Confirmation of select reportable variants will be performed by alternate methodologies based on internal laboratory criteria.
This test is validated to detect 95% of deletions up to 75 base pairs (bp) and insertions up to 47 bp. Deletions-insertions (delins) of 40 or more bp, including mobile element insertions, may be less reliably detected than smaller delins.
Deletion/Duplication Analysis:
Balanced structural rearrangements (such as translocations and inversions) may not be detected.
This test is not designed to detect low levels of mosaicism or differentiate between somatic and germline variants. If there is a possibility that any detected variant is somatic, additional testing may be necessary to clarify the significance of results.
For detailed information regarding gene specific performance and technical limitations, see Method Description or contact a laboratory genetic counselor.
If the patient has had an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant or a recent blood transfusion, results may be inaccurate due to the presence of donor DNA. Call Mayo Clinic Laboratories for instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant.
Reclassification of Variants:
Currently, it is not standard practice for the laboratory to systematically review previously classified variants on a regular basis. The laboratory encourages healthcare providers to contact the laboratory at any time to learn how the classification of a particular variant may have changed over time.
Variant Evaluation:
Evaluation and categorization of variants are performed using published American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology recommendations as a guideline.(7) Other gene-specific guidelines may also be considered. Variants are classified based on known, predicted, or possible pathogenicity and reported with interpretive comments detailing their potential or known significance. Variants classified as benign or likely benign are not reported.
Multiple in silico evaluation tools may be used to assist in the interpretation of these results. The accuracy of predictions made by in silico evaluation tools is highly dependent upon the data available for a given gene, and periodic updates to these tools may cause predictions to change over time. Results from in silico evaluation tools should be interpreted with caution and professional clinical judgement.
1. Sattler EC, Steinlein OK: Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. In: Adam MP, Everman DB, Mirzaa GM, et al, eds. GeneReviews. [Internet]. University of Washington, Seattle; 2006. Updated January 30, 2020. Accessed April 26, 2024. Available at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1522/
2. Houweling AC, Gijezen LM, Joneker MA, et al. Renal cancer and pneumothorax risk in Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome; an analysis of 115 FLCN mutation carriers from 35 BHD families. Br J Cancer. 2011;105(12):1912-1919
3. Schmidt LS, Nickerson ML, Warren MB, et al. Germline BHD-mutation spectrum and phenotype analysis of a large cohort of families with Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome. Am J Hum Genet. 2005;76(6):1023-1033
4. Stamatakis L, Metwalli AR, Middelton LA, Linehan WM. Diagnosis and management of BHD-associated kidney cancer. Fam Cancer. 2013;12(3):397-402
5. Farrant PBJ, Emerson R: Letter. hyfrecation and curettage as a treatment for fibrofolliculomas in Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. Dermatol Surg. 2007;33(10):1287-1288
6. Kim D, Wysong A, Teng JM, Rahman Z. Laser-assisted delivery of topical rapamycin: mTOR inhibition for Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45(12):1713-1715
7. Richards S, Aziz N, Bale S, et al. Standards and guidelines for the interpretation of sequence variants: a joint consensus recommendation of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Genet Med. 2015;17(5):405-424
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and/or Sanger sequencing are performed to test for the presence of variants in coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of the FLCN gene, as well as some other regions that have known pathogenic variants. The human genome reference GRCh37/hg19 build was used for sequence read alignment. At least 99% of the bases are covered at a read depth over 30X. Sensitivity is estimated at above 99% for single nucleotide variants, above 94% for deletions-insertions (delins) less than 40 base pairs (bp), above 95% for deletions up to 75 bp and insertions up to 47 bp. NGS, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and/or a polymerase chain reaction-based quantitative method is performed to test for the presence of deletions and duplications in the FLCN gene, including non-coding exons 1 through 3.
There may be regions of the FLCN gene that cannot be effectively evaluated by sequencing or deletion and duplication analysis as a result of technical limitations of the assay, including regions of homology, high guanine-cytosine (GC) content, and repetitive sequences. The reference transcript for FLCN gene is NM_144997.7. Reference transcript numbers may be updated due to transcript re-versioning. Always refer to the final patient report for gene transcript information referenced at the time of testing.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Confirmation of select reportable variants may be performed by alternate methodologies based on internal laboratory criteria.
Varies
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
81479
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
BHDZ | FLCN Full Gene Analysis | 94232-6 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
614635 | Test Description | 62364-5 |
614636 | Specimen | 31208-2 |
614637 | Source | 31208-2 |
614638 | Result Summary | 50397-9 |
614639 | Result | 82939-0 |
614640 | Interpretation | 69047-9 |
614641 | Resources | 99622-3 |
614642 | Additional Information | 48767-8 |
614643 | Method | 85069-3 |
614644 | Genes Analyzed | 48018-6 |
614645 | Disclaimer | 62364-5 |
614646 | Released By | 18771-6 |
Change Type | Effective Date |
---|---|
Test Changes - Method | 2024-12-02 |
Test Changes - Specimen Information | 2024-12-02 |