What causes cardiac rhabdomyomas?

What causes cardiac rhabdomyomas?

Cardiac rhabdomyomas are likely caused by genetic changes that happen before birth. These changes lead to tuberous sclerosis. People with tuberous sclerosis have mutations in their TSC1 or TSC2 gene. The TSC1 and TSC2 genes are responsible for suppressing tumors. Most children with cardiac rhabdomyomas have tuberous sclerosis.

Some children don’t have tuberous sclerosis, but they develop a cardiac rhabdomyoma. In those cases, the cause of the tumor is unknown.