VHL runs in families and can be passed down. It can affect both males and females.
VHL follows a dominant inheritance pattern. This means that having one faulty copy of the VHL gene can cause the condition.
Everyone has 2 copies of each gene in their body’s cells:
While VHL may run in families, an estimated 20% of individuals with VHL may have acquired a faulty VHL gene at birth (de novo). Therefore, genetic testing may be offered in the absence of relevant family history if an individual’s personal history is suspicious for VHL.
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