von Hippel-Lindau disease: a genetically transmitted multisystem neoplastic disorder.

von Hippel-Lindau disease is a rare hereditary disorder in which affected individuals are genetically predisposed to develop certain types of tumors and cysts in multiple organs. The most common manifestations are cerebellar, spinal and medullary hemangioblastomas, retinal angiomas, renal cell carcinomas, and pheochromocytomas. A lifelong diagnosis that requires intense follow-up for multiple and recurrent tumors, this disease can greatly impact a family's sense of emotional and physical well-being.