Are cerebral cavernous hemangiomas hereditary?

Are cerebral cavernous hemangiomas hereditary?

About 20% of cavernous malformations are genetic (run in families). These are caused by a mutation in any one of three genes. If you have a cavernous malformation, your children have about a 50% chance of having one too. Having more than one cerebral cavernous hemangioma is more common in people with a family history. People with a genetic link are also more likely to develop new cavernous hemangiomas over time.

People at higher risk for the hereditary form are:

• Descendants of the original Hispanic population of New Mexico.
• European-American descendants from Oklahoma and the deep South.
• People of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.