|
| | |
Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome
Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome An inherited condition in which benign tumors develop in hair follicles on the head, chest, back, and arms. These tumors are called fibrofolliculomas. Other characteristic skin abnormalities are trichodiscomas and acrochordons. A trichodiscoma is a tumor of the hair disc while an acrochordon is a skin tag. People with this syndrome are at increased risk for developing colon or kidney cancer as well as spontaneous pneumothorax due to lung cysts.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Condition
The term "condition" has a number of biomedical meanings including the following: 1.An unhealthy state, such as in "this is a progressive condition." 2.A state of fitness, such as "getting into condition." 3.Something that is essential to the occurrence of something else; essentially a "precondition." 4.As a verb: to cause a change in something so that a response that was previously associated with a certain stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus; to condition a person, as in behavioral conditioning.
Benign
Non-malignant; not life-threatening.
Follicles
Each month several of these small egg-containing cavities develop on the ovary of an ovulating woman. Each cavity contains a single immature egg; ovulation occurs when a follicle (or sometimes more than one) ruptures and releases an egg.
Chest
The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains the lungs, the heart and part of the aorta. The walls of the chest are supported by the dorsal vertebrae, the ribs, and the sternum.
Arms
An appendage in anatomy and in clinical trials. See: Arm.
Skin
Skin is an organ of the integumentary system; which is composed of a layer of tissues that protect underlying muscles and organs. Skin is used for insulation, vitamin D production, sensation, and excretion (through sweat).
Tumor
Overgrowth of tissue.
Disc
Shortened terminology for an intervertebral disc, a disk-shaped piece of specialized tissue that separates the bones of the spinal column.
Acrochordon
"A small tag of skin that may have a stalk (a peduncle). An acrochordon may appear on skin anywhere although the favorite locales are the eyelids, neck, armpits (axillae), upper chest, and groin. Invariably benign, this tiny tumor of the skin usually causes no symptoms unless repeatedly irritated as, for example, by the collar. Treatment may be done by freezing with liquid nitrogen or by cutting off with a scalpel or scissors if the acrochordon is irritating or cosmetically unwanted. The term ""acrochordon"" is from the Greek ""acro-"" (which means top, summit, extreme, or refers to an arm or leg) + ""chorde"", string. Medically, an acrochordon is also called a cutaneous papilloma. It is far better known as a skin tag."
Syndrome
A grouping of signs and symptoms, based on their frequent co-occurrence, that may suggest a common underlying pathogenesis, course, familial pattern, or treatment selection.
Risk
In clinical trials, the probability of harm or discomfort for subjects, arising from the test product. Acceptable risk differs depending on the condition for which a product is being tested. A product for sore throat, for example, will be expected to have a low incidence of side effects. However, unpleasant side effects may be an acceptable risk when testing a promising treatment for a life-threatening illness.
Colon
Another name for the large intestine. The section of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum. An adult colon is approximately five to six feet in length and is responsible for absorbing water and forming, storing and expelling waste.
Kidney
One of the paired organs that excrete urine. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs (about 11 cm long, 5 cm wide, and 3 cm thick) lying on either side of the vertebral column, posterior to the peritoneum, about opposite the twelfth thoracic and first three lumbar vertebrae.
Cancer
Any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream.
Pneumothorax
The buildup of air or gas in the chest cavity. May cause lung collapse.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Birt Hogg Dube syndrome
See: Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome.
Birth canal
The passageway - made up of the cervix, vagina, and vulva - the baby travels through during birth.
Birth cohort
A group of people born during a particular period or year.
Birth control pill
Oral contraceptives are contraceptives which are taken orally and inhibit the body's fertility by chemical means. Female oral contraceptives have been on the market since the early 1960s. Male oral contraceptives remain a subject of research and development, and are not available widely (if at all) to the public. Studies continue of various alternatives, such as gossypol.
Birth control, emergency
See: Emergency contraception.
Birth defect
Any defect present in a baby at birth, irrespective of whether the defect is caused by a genetic factor or by prenatal events that are not genetic.
Birth defects, study of
The study of birth defects is now usually called dysmorphology.
Birth rate
The birth rate is usually given as the number of live births divided by the average population (or the population at midyear). This is termed the crude birth rate.
Birthing room
A place designed and equipped for women giving birth. Some are in hospitals, others are totally separate facilities.
Birthmark
A persistent visible mark on the skin that is evident at birth or shortly thereafter. A birthmark is often due to a nevus (a mole) or an hemangioma (a localized collection of small blood vessels).
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Bioterrorism
"Terrorism using biologic agents. Biological diseases and the agents that might be used for terrorism have been listed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC). The list includes a sizable number of ""select agents"" -- potential weapons whose transfer in the scientific and medical communities is regulated to keep them out of unfriendly hands."
Biotin
A water-soluble B-complex vitamin involved in carbon dioxide transfer and therefore essential to the metabolism of carbohydrate and fat. A balanced diet usually contains enough biotin. Foods with high biotin levels include nuts, cereals, green leafy vegetables and milk. Biotin deficiency, which is characterized by hair loss and a scaly red rash, can occur with prolonged intravenous feeding or the frequent consumption of raw egg whites which contain a biotin antagonist called avidin. Biotin supplementation is recommended during pregnancy because the biotin requirement rises during pregnancy and a substantial number of pregnant women become biotin depleted. Extra biotin is also needed during long-term anticonvulsant treatment which depletes biotin.
Bipolar disease
Manic-depressive disease. See: Bipolar disorder.
Bird flu
See: Avian influenza.
Birt Hogg Dube syndrome
See: Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome.
Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome
Birth cohort
A group of people born during a particular period or year.
Birth control, emergency
See: Emergency contraception.
Birth defect
Any defect present in a baby at birth, irrespective of whether the defect is caused by a genetic factor or by prenatal events that are not genetic.
Birth defects, study of
The study of birth defects is now usually called dysmorphology.
Birth rate
The birth rate is usually given as the number of live births divided by the average population (or the population at midyear). This is termed the crude birth rate.
We thank you for using the Health Dictionary to search for Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. If you have a better definition for Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome than the one presented here, please let us know by making use of the suggest a term option. This definition of Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome may be disputed by other professionals. Our attempt is to provide easy definitions on Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome and any other medical topic for the public at large.This dictionary contains 25007 terms. |
|
|
