What are the features of Proteus syndrome?
There are often no obvious signs at birth and they develop over time. This is called a ‘progressive condition’. Skin, bone, muscles, fatty-tissue and the blood and lymphatic vessels can overgrow (hyperplasia). This growth in Proteus syndrome differs from other conditions with overgrowth because it is very fast and uneven (asymmetric). Parts of the body become distorted and the growth does not stop. This can result in enlarged hands, feet, legs or head, for example. Some areas of the skin may be rough and raised (epidermal naevi). There are sometimes thickened soft tissues with deep grooves on the soles of the feet. Malformations of the vascular system are also very common and are often mistaken for tumours. For example, there may be large red areas (capillary malformation) and changes to the blood vessels (venous malformations) and lymphatic malformations. They may cover smaller or larger areas of the body. Tumours known as benign lipomas are common on the skin, but if they happen to o
