It turns out that 85 percent of kidney cancer is caused by a change in the VHL gene, so researchers are interested. The Marshalls have been a part of that effort and are determined to press the issue and fight VHL the best they can. We want to stop this for her sake. For Peggy Marshall's family, the eyes have been the windows to uncovering tumors caused by Von Hippel-Lindau disease. Marshall's diagnosis was too late to save her left eye.
Early detection can check the growth of tumors while they're small.
There's typically no symptom at all with the tumors. It's important to catch them early so they can be treated. Shipp said someone with a history of VHL in their family should get their eyes checked once a year. Marshall said that if tumors are found on the back of the eye, it's important not to stop there. It's important that you know what you have and do the proper screenings.