Von Hippel Lindau syndrome (VHL)

Hi all. Don't know if this is the right place for this - did a search, which brought up nothing.

Diagnosed with this 8 years ago; shan't bore you with the detail, but this is truly a genetic cancer nightmare. My father died of it aged 42 and his mother at the age of 36. It is only the wonders of modern surgery, radiology and chemistry that allows me to write this at the age of 58.

Currently (starting at the top!)

Haemangioblastoma inside the cervical spinal cord. They won't touch this until they have to.

Haemangioblastomas in both eyes. These are lasered as they arise.

Neuroendocrine tumours in the head of the Pancreas; awaiting biopsy results to see what can be done, if anything.

Phaeochromocytomas in both adrenal glands; both surgically removed with their associated glands.

Kidneys - multiple bilateral cysts, pre cancerous for RCC. Awaiting surgery.

I feel that I've managed to keep The Reaper skulking in the bushes for most of the time - just starting to get worried that he's making ground.

My thoughts are with all on here, and their loved ones, who have little hope. My experience, and my message - accept nothing, challenge all their decisions, push all the way. Never tolerate silence as an answer.

Richard.

Parents
  • Hi, i would like to let anyone on here know that i run a support group for vhl...My 18yr old son has it and myself and a few others have recently set up our own vhl uk / ireland vhl group..I would love for Richard or anyone else who suffers from vhl or knows anyone with it to please get in touch..We are very excited at the minute about finding more patients and are able to offer help and support to everyone..I have recently come back from a meeting in budapest with the leaders of the european vhl charities and progress is being made but we really need as many people as possible to help us move forward and raise awareness for vhl..so please get in touch with me on here or on my facebook page..you can find me as ali barry..or support vhl..

    look forward to hearing from you all. Everyone is welcome , we would love anyone who suffers from any sort of cancer or rare disease to get in touch. To find a cure for vhl will also help towards finding cures for other cancers too.

    Alison Barry

Reply
  • Hi, i would like to let anyone on here know that i run a support group for vhl...My 18yr old son has it and myself and a few others have recently set up our own vhl uk / ireland vhl group..I would love for Richard or anyone else who suffers from vhl or knows anyone with it to please get in touch..We are very excited at the minute about finding more patients and are able to offer help and support to everyone..I have recently come back from a meeting in budapest with the leaders of the european vhl charities and progress is being made but we really need as many people as possible to help us move forward and raise awareness for vhl..so please get in touch with me on here or on my facebook page..you can find me as ali barry..or support vhl..

    look forward to hearing from you all. Everyone is welcome , we would love anyone who suffers from any sort of cancer or rare disease to get in touch. To find a cure for vhl will also help towards finding cures for other cancers too.

    Alison Barry

Children
  • Hi Alison hope you are well.

    I thought I reply here as you are in touch with other patients with VHL via VHL U.K./Ireland group. I do have a question if you can help me please!.. I have been found to have a right inner ear lesion which is small. The did a MRI IAMS scan for it and the scan report did say “there is a small lesion on the right inferior vestibular nerve and most likely represent a haemangioblastoma in the context of VHL and there is no evidence of an Endolymphatic sac tumor”

    my concern is they may of mis diagnosed the lesion as in VHL we can get ELST. Have you spoken or heard of VHL patient getting a lesion on their vestibular nerve? 

    thank you!