SDHA
Associated conditions:
- Endocrine cancer
- Sarcoma
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumours
SDHA makes part of an enzyme that cells use to produce energy in their mitochondria, and it also acts as a tumour suppressor. Genetic changes in this gene are associated with an autosomal dominant predisposition to paraganglioma and phaeochromocytoma (hormone-producing tumours) and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). Knowing your genetic status enables periodic hormone tests and imaging to detect tumours early.
Conditions linked to SDHA
Endocrine cancer
Endocrine cancers affect hormone-producing glands such as the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands or pancreatic islet cells. Inherited variants can drive tumours in one or more of these glands, so awareness supports periodic hormone testing and imaging to catch changes early.
Sarcoma
Sarcomas are cancers of connective tissues such as bone, muscle, fat and cartilage. Certain inherited syndromes raise their risk, so awareness supports prompt assessment of unexplained lumps or bone pain and, in some syndromes, imaging surveillance.
