Tuberous Sclerosis

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Basics

• Summary
• Start Here

Learn More

• Living With
• Specifics
• Genetics

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Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Children
• Patient Handouts

Summary

Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and other organs. Symptoms vary, depending on where the tumors grow. They could include

• Skin problems, such as light patches and thickened skin
• Seizures
• Behavior problems
• Intellectual disabilities
• Kidney problems

Some people have signs of tuberous sclerosis at birth. In others it can take time for the symptoms to develop. The disease can be mild, or it can cause severe disabilities. In rare cases, tumors in vital organs or other symptoms can be life-threatening.

Tuberous sclerosis has no cure, but treatments can help symptoms. Options include medicines, educational and occupational therapy, surgery, or surgery to treat specific complications.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Start Here

• Tuberous Sclerosis (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
• Tuberous Sclerosis (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Also in Spanish

Living With

• Epilepsy Surgery for Individuals with TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance) - PDF

Specifics

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance) - PDF
• Cognitive Challenges (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance) - PDF
• Epilepsy in Adults with TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance)
• Eye Involvement in TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance) - PDF
• Heart in TLC (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance) - PDF
• Kidneys in TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance)
• Lungs in TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance) - PDF
• Teeth (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance)
• Tuberous Sclerosis Syndrome (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• Types of Seizures Affecting Individuals with TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance) - PDF

Genetics

• Genetics Home Reference: tuberous sclerosis complex (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Tuberous Sclerosis (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Prevention of epilepsy in humans - truth or myth? The experience...
• Article: Tuberous sclerosis complex presenting as convulsive status epilepticus followed by hypoxic...
• Article: Tuberous Sclerosis.
• Tuberous Sclerosis -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Also in Spanish
• TSC Clinics (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance)

Children

• Tuberous Sclerosis (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

• Tuberous sclerosis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish