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- Title
Precocious puberty: A red flag for malignancy in childhood.
- Authors
D'Alessandro, Paul R.; Hamilton, Jillian; Khatchadourian, Karine; Lunaczek-Motyka, Ewa; Schultz, Kirk R.; Metzger, Daniel; Deyell, Rebecca J.
- Abstract
Pediatric solid tumors have a range of clinical presentations, including those driven by the ectopic production of hormones secreted by some malignancies. Functional tumors lead to a variety of presentations, including Cushing syndrome, growth acceleration, abnormal virilization or feminization, and hypertension with electrolyte abnormalities. Precocious puberty, the onset of secondary sexual characteristics before age 8 in girls or 9 in boys, may be a warning sign of occult malignancy. Early referral is critical to optimize survival and limit disease- and treatment-related morbidities. Diagnostic workup and treatment should be guided by an interdisciplinary specialist team. Some tumors are associated with inherited cancer predisposition syndromes, which may have implications for surveillance and screening of family members. We describe a series of patients with rare functional tumors who presented with peripheral precocity to our tertiary referral centre at BC Children's Hospital to highlight key concepts for physicians: recognize, refer early, and review recommendations for genetic screening.
- Subjects
PRECOCIOUS puberty; PHYSICIANS; CHILDREN'S hospitals; CUSHING'S syndrome; GENETIC testing; ECTOPIC hormones
- Publication
British Columbia Medical Journal, 2021, Vol 63, Issue 6, p242
- ISSN
0007-0556
- Publication type
Article