• Disease Overview
  • Synonyms
  • Signs & Symptoms
  • Causes
  • Affected Populations
  • Disorders with Similar Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Standard Therapies
  • Clinical Trials and Studies
  • References
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Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome

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Last updated: 9/13/2023
Years published: 1990, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2023


Acknowledgment

NORD gratefully acknowledges Lisa L. Wang, MD, Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, for assistance in the preparation of this report.


Disease Overview

Summary


Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is a rare genetic disorder that can affect many parts of the body. The disorder is characterized by distinctive abnormalities of the skin, sparse hair, eyelashes and/or eyebrows, small stature, skeletal and dental abnormalities and a predisposition to cancer. Patients typically begin having signs of RTS during infancy and the first feature to appear is a rash that starts on the cheeks and later spreads to other parts of the body. The rash gradually becomes chronic and persists for life. Other features may appear that involve other areas of the body such as the eyes, bones, teeth and hair, and patients may be small compared to their peers. Patients are at an increased risk for developing cancer, particularly certain types of skin and bone cancer (osteosarcoma). Lifespan is generally thought to be normal in patients who do not develop cancer, but follow-up data in the published literature are limited. RTS is inherited as an autosomal recessive genetic condition. Approximately two-thirds of patients have changes (variants or mutations) in one of two genes, the RECQL4 and ANAPC1 genes. For the remaining cases of RTS, the gene(s) involved has not yet been identified.

Introduction


RTS was first described in 1868 by Dr. Auguste Rothmund, a German ophthalmologist who described the characteristic rash and juvenile cataracts in his patients. In 1921, Dr. Sydney Thomson, who was a British dermatologist, described a very similar rash along with bone findings in his patients. Later in 1957, Dr. William Taylor in the United States proposed that the disorders were the same and coined the eponym “Rothmund-Thomson syndrome”.

Since the original reporting of RTS, the characteristics associated with RTS have been widened. Specific gene variants have been found to be associated with certain characteristics (genotype-phenotype correlations). Currently, RTS is divided into two types: type 1 RTS, caused by variants in the ANAPC1 gene and characterized by bilateral juvenile cataracts and type 2 RTS, caused by variants in the RECQL4 gene, and characterized by bone abnormalities and increased risk for osteosarcoma.

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Synonyms

  • poikiloderma atrophicans and cataract
  • poikiloderma congenitale
  • RTS
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Signs & Symptoms

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that manifests in early infancy. The range and severity of symptoms may vary from person to person. RTS is typically characterized by skin rash, sparse hair, malformed bones, abnormal clouding of the lenses of the eyes (juvenile cataracts), small stature and other physical abnormalities. Intelligence is usually normal, but some affected individuals have been reported to have intellectual disability.

Skin and hair
Between the ages of approximately three to six months, infants with RTS typically develop redness (erythema) on the cheeks that may appear as patches or inflamed plaques and may resemble sunburn or even eczema. The redness may be accompanied by swelling (edema). In some children, the rash may be apparent earlier in life or may develop as late as two years old. The rash typically spreads to the arms and legs and may or may not involve the buttocks. The trunk and belly are generally spared. Over time and usually by early childhood, the inflammation tends to recede and the skin of affected areas develops into a more chronic pattern of rash known as poikiloderma, characterized by telangiectasis (prominent, small, spider-like blood vessels); small spots of atrophy (skin tissue degeneration or thinning); and areas of abnormal skin pigmentation alternating between increased pigment (hyperpigmentation) and decreased pigment (hypopigmentation), giving a lacy, web-like or mottled appearance.

Sensitivity of the skin to sun exposure (photosensitivity) has been reported in some patients, and the rash tends to affect areas that are more sun exposed. However, it is important to note that the rash is not always limited to sun-exposed areas (e.g., buttocks). Some affected individuals report a history of blistering (bullae) on the skin that may or may not be related to sun exposure. Blistering tends to diminish as patients reach late childhood.

One of the other skin manifestations of RTS that tends to be more prominent in adulthood is a condition called hyperkeratosis, where certain areas such as the palms and soles, knees and sometimes around the fingers or toes, become thickened and overgrown and develop a rough, wart-like (verrucous) texture. In severe cases, large, verrucous overgrowth of certain areas may cause significant discomfort or restriction of activities.

In addition, many patients with RTS have sparse scalp hair, and some may have complete baldness (alopecia). In many people, eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair may also be sparse or absent. In some patients, the nails may be malformed (dystrophic) and/or unusually small (hypoplastic).

Eyes
Between the ages of approximately two to seven years of age, some children with RTS may also develop sudden clouding of the lenses of both eyes (bilateral juvenile cataracts). Such cataracts typically are opaque, semisolid, white dots appearing on one broad or narrow area of an otherwise clear lens (zonular or lamellar cataract). Development of such cataracts may result in severe visual impairment or loss within weeks, and prompt surgical intervention by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) can usually restore vision.

Growth and development
A large percentage of individuals with RTS experience abnormally slow growth before and after birth (prenatal and postnatal growth delay), leading to mild to moderate small stature. This small stature is symmetrical for height and weight, and patients have proportional development of the upper and lower body.

Bones and teeth
A large percentage of patients have bone abnormalities that may or may not be visible clinically. One of the most obvious abnormalities is a radial ray defect which manifests as small, malformed or missing thumbs or shortened forearms. Other bones in the body, particularly those in the arms, hands and legs, can also be abnormally formed, shortened, or fused, and some of these bone findings can only be seen on x-rays. Some patients may also have characteristic abnormalities of the craniofacial area including a prominent forehead (frontal bossing) or a sunken nasal bridge (saddle nose). Patients may also have decreased bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis) which in severe cases could lead to fractures. The teeth in patients with RTS may be small or malformed.

Gastrointestinal and feeding
Many infants and young children with RTS experience gastrointestinal disturbances including non-specific vomiting and diarrhea that are often attributed to intolerance of milk or formula. Some patients require feeding tubes to maintain nutritional intake. However, in virtually all patients, these issues resolve by later childhood.

Cancer
Individuals with RTS have an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly osteosarcoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (squamous and basal cell carcinomas). While these are the most frequent cancers encountered in RTS, there have been a few patients reported who developed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region and hematologic malignancies such as leukemia.

Fertility
Some individuals with RTS have hypogonadism, a condition characterized by deficient activity of the gonads (i.e., ovaries in females or testes in males). As a result, affected females may experience irregular menstruation, while both affected males and females may have delayed sexual development. In individuals with hypogonadism, fertility may be reduced; however, some patients (both male and female) have had children.

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Causes

Rothmund-Thompson syndrome is a genetic disorder that is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Approximately 2/3 of individuals with RTS are found to have an abnormality (variant or mutation) in the RECQL4 gene (type 2 RTS) or the ANAPC1 gene (type 1 RTS). The RECQL4 gene is responsible for production of a protein that is involved in the replication and repair of DNA, the genetic material in the cells of the body. ANAPC1 encodes a protein, APC1, which is important for cell cycle progression and also plays a role in DNA replication and repair. Since about 1/3 of affected individuals do not have detectable variants in these genes, other as yet undiscovered genes are probably also associated with RTS.

Recessive genetic disorders occur when an individual inherits a mutated gene from each parent. If an individual receives one normal gene and one mutated gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms. The risk for two carrier parents to both pass the mutated gene and have an affected child is 25% with each pregnancy. The risk of having a child who is a carrier like the parents is 50% with each pregnancy. The chance for a child to receive normal genes from both parents is 25%. The risk is the same for males and females.

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Affected populations

RTS has been diagnosed in people of all races and has been described in multiple nationalities; therefore, it does not appear that there is any particular population at increased risk for developing the disease.

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Diagnosis

Rothmund-Thompson syndrome is diagnosed based on the onset, appearance and progression of the poikilodermatous rash. A diagnosis of RTS may be suspected if the rash is present but atypical and other physical characteristics associated with RTS are present. Molecular genetic testing for the RECQL4 gene is available to confirm the diagnosis, although in one-third of cases of RTS this test can be negative. Thus, a negative test does not rule out the diagnosis of RTS, but a positive test confirms the diagnosis.

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Standard Therapies

The treatment of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is directed toward the specific symptoms that are apparent in each individual. Treatment may require the coordinated efforts of a team of specialists. Pediatricians, surgeons, physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the skin (dermatologists), doctors who specialize in genetic disorders (geneticists), eye specialists (ophthalmologists), specialists who diagnose and treat bone disorders (orthopedists), dental specialists and/or other health care professionals may need to plan an affected child’s management systematically and comprehensively.

Specific therapies for the treatment of RTS are symptomatic and supportive. Special measures may be recommended to protect affected individuals from sun exposure (e.g., use of topical sunscreens, sunglasses, etc.). Because patients are prone to developing skin cancer (e.g., squamous, or basal cell carcinomas), physicians may closely monitor affected skin areas to ensure prompt detection and treatment of skin malignancies.

In addition, because some individuals with RTS are more prone to developing certain non-skin related malignancies (e.g., osteosarcoma) than the general population, physicians may closely monitor affected individuals to ensure early detection and prompt, appropriate treatment. Baseline skeletal surveys are recommended since these patients often have underlying skeletal defects that need to be distinguished from any new pathologic lesions. Effective therapies for osteosarcoma and other cancers are currently available, and it appears that some patients with RTS can tolerate these therapies similar to cancer patients in the general population. Other patients may require dose reductions based on individual tolerance to specific chemotherapy agents.

RTS patients may be at risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures. Monitoring with DXA scans may be warranted and some patients may benefit from bone supplements.

Because serious visual impairment or loss may result from cataracts, infants and children with RTS should be closely monitored by pediatricians and ophthalmologists to ensure immediate detection of cataracts and prompt, appropriate treatment. Surgical removal of opacified lenses can be performed to prevent serious visual impairment or loss.

Dental abnormalities potentially occurring in association with RTS may be treated through surgery, use of dentures and other artificial devices (prosthetics), and/or other supportive techniques.

Pulsed dye laser has been used for the cosmetic management of the telangiectatic component of the rash.

Genetic counseling is recommended for affected individuals and their families. Other treatment for this disorder is symptomatic and supportive.

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Clinical Trials and Studies

Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.

For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:

Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: [email protected]

Some current clinical trials also are posted on the following page on the NORD website:
Explore Clinical Trials & Research for Rare Disease Patients (rarediseases.org)

For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com

For information about clinical trials conducted in Europe, contact:
https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/

Researchers at Texas Children’s Hospital and Texas Children’s Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine are studying the genetics and biology of Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome (RTS) and they have enrolled an international group of RTS patients in these studies. For information contact:

Dr. Lisa L. Wang
(832) 824-4822
[email protected]
1102 Bates Avenue, Suite 1200, Houston, Texas, 77030

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References

JOURNAL ARTICLES
Ajeawung NF, Nguyen TM, Lu L, Kucharski TJ, Rousseau J, Molidperee S, Atienza J, Gamache I, Jin W, Plon SE, Lee BH, Teodoro JG, Wang LL*, Campeau PM* (*co-senior authors). Mutations in ANAPC1, encoding a scaffold subunit of the anaphase promoting complex, cause Rothmund-Thomson syndrome Type 1. Am J Hum Genet. 2019 Sep 5;105(3):625-630. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.06.011. Epub 2019 Jul 11. PMID: 31303264

Cao F, Lu L, Abrams SA, Hawthorne KM, Tam A, Jin W, Dawson B, Shypailo R, Liu H, Lee B, Nagamani SCS, Wang LL. Generalized metabolic bone disease and fracture risk in Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. Hum Mol Genet. 2017 Aug 15;26(16):3046-3055. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddx178.

Lu L, Jin W, Wang LL. Aging in Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and related RECQL4 genetic disorders. Ageing Res Rev. 2017 Jan;33:30-35. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.06.002. Epub 2016 Jun 7.

Lu H, Shamanna RA, Keijzers G, Anand R, Rasmussen LJ, Cejka P, Croteau DL, Bohr VA. RECQL4 Promotes DNA End Resection in Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks. Cell Rep. 2016 Jun 28;16(1):161-173. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.05.079. Epub 2016 Jun 16.

Croteau DL, Popuri V, Opresko PL, Bohr VA. Human RecQ helicases in DNA repair, recombination, and replication. Annu Rev Biochem. 2014;83:519-52.

Suhasini AN, Brosh RM Jr. DNA helicases associated with genetic instability, cancer, and aging. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2013;767:123-44.

Singh DK, Karmakar P, Aamann M, Schurman SH, May A, Croteau DL, Burks L, Plon SE, Bohr VA. The involvement of human RECQL4 in DNA double-strand break repair. Aging Cell. 2010 Jun;9(3):358-71.

Thangavel S, Mendoza-Maldonado R, Tissino E, Sidorova JM, Yin J, Wang W, Monnat RJ Jr, Falaschi A, Vindigni A. Human RECQ1 and RECQ4 helicases play distinct roles in DNA replication initiation. Mol Cell Biol. 2010 Mar;30(6):1382-96.

Hicks MJ, Roth J, Kozinetz CA, Wang LL. Clinicopathologic Features of Osteosarcoma in Patients with Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome. J Clin Oncol. 2007;25:370-375.

Mehollin-Ray, AR, Kozinetz CA, Schlesinger AE, Guillerman RP, Wang LL. Radiographic abnormalities and genotype-phenotype correlation with RECQL4 mutation status in Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008;191(2):W62-6.
Hanada K, Hickson I. Molecular genetics of RecqQ helicase disorders. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2007;64: 2306-2322.

Van Maldergem L, Siitonen HA, Jalkh N, et al. Revisiting the craniosynostosis-radial ray hypoplasia association: Baller-Gerold syndrome caused by mutations in the RECQL4 gene. J Med Genet. 2006; 43: 148-52.

Wang LL, Gannavarapu A, Kozinetz CA, et al. Association between osteosarcoma and deleterious mutations in the RECQL4 gene in Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003; 95: 669-74.

Siitonen HA, Kopra O, Kaariainen H, et al. Molecular defect of RAPADILINO syndrome expands the phenotype spectrum of RECQL diseases. Hum Mol Genet. 2003; 12: 2837-44.

Wang LL, Levy ML, Lewis RA, et al. Clinical manifestations in a cohort of 41 Rothmund-Thomson syndrome patients. Am J Med Genet. 2001; 102: 11-7.

Pujol LA, et al. Variable presentation of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. Am J Med Genet. 2000;95:204-07.

Anbari KK, et al. Two primary osteosarcomas in a patient with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. Clin Orthop. 2000;378:213-23.

Lindor NM, et al. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome due to RECQ4 helicase mutations: report and clinical and molecular comparisons with Bloom syndrome and Werner syndrome. Am J Med Genet. 2000;90:223-28.

Grant SG, et al. Analysis of genomic instability using multiple assays in a patient with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. Clin Genet. 2000;58:209-15.

Kitao S, et al. Mutations in RECQL4 cause a subset of cases of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. Nature Genet. 1999;22:82-84.

Kitao S, et al. Rothmund-thomson syndrome responsible gene, RECQL4: genomic structure and products. Genomics. 1999;61:268-76.

Vasseur F, et al. Excision repair defect in Rothmund Thomson syndrome. Acta Derm Venereol. 1999;79:150-52.

Kirchner J, et al. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and osteosarcoma. Rontgenpraxis. 1999;52:71-73.

Lindor NM, et al. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome in siblings: evidence for acquired in vivo mosaicism. Clin Genet. 1996;49:124-29.

Vennos EM, et al. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. Dermatol Clin. 1995;13:143-50.

Tong M. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome in fraternal twins. Pediatr Dermatol. 1995;12:134-47.

Orstavik KH, et al. Instability of lymphocyte chromosomes in a girl with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. J Med Genet. 1994;31:570-72.

Drouin CA, et al. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome with osteosarcoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993;28:301-05.

Vennos EM, et al. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome: review of the world literature. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1992;27:750-62.

Ying KL, et al. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome associated with trisomy 8 mosaicism. J Med Genet. 1990;27:258-60.

Starr DG, et al. Non-dermatological complications and genetic aspects of the Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. Clin Genet. 1985;27:102-04.

Hall JC, et al. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome with severe dwarfism. Am J Dis Child. 1980;134:165-69.

Thomson MS. Poikiloderma congenitale. Brit J Derm. 1936;48:221-234.

Rothmund A. Ueber Cataracte in Verbindung mit einer eigenthuemlichen Hautdegeneration. Albrecht von Graefes Arch Klin Exp Ophthal. 1868;14:159-82.

INTERNET
Wang LL, Plon SE. Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome. 1999 Oct 6 [Updated 2020 Jun 4]. In: Adam MP, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1237/ Accessed August 14, 2023.

Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). The Johns Hopkins University. Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome; RTS. Entry No: 268400. Last Edited 11/22/2021. Available at: https://omim.org/entry/268400 Accessed August 14, 2023.

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The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.

GARD Disease Summary

The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Orphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.

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