Retinoblastoma and deletion of the long arm of chromosome 13: an underestimated diagnosis?

Complex translocation leading to13q interstitial deletion in a Moroccan child with retinoblastoma and intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common malignant intraocular tumor in children; it affects their eyes often even prenatally. RB may be sporadic or familial, due to germinal mutation in RB1 gene or by abnormal chromosomal abnormalities involving RB1 gene, located in 13q14. Monosomy of subband 13q14 as a partial deletion can also be responsible for RB with additional symptoms. The latter may be RB associated with psychomotor retardation, macrocephaly, broad forehead, thick earlobes, and bulbous nose.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We present here the case of a boy from a consanguineous marriage with bilateral retinoblastoma, intellectual disability and facial dysmorphic features. Classical and molecular cytogenetics were used to recognize genotype-phenotype association.

RESULTS

The karyotype showed a three way translocation involving chromosomes 5, 12 and 13. Further molecular cytogenetics analysis revealed a deletion of 13q14 involving the tumor suppressor gene RB1.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the impact of classical and molecular cytogenetics in diagnosis of rare genetic syndromes and for the genetic counselling of patients and their families. Pure molecular karyotyping analyses would miss the underlying chromosomal mechanism leading to the rearrangement.