Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder characterized by the loss or alteration of one X chromosome in biological women. This genetic alteration can have knockdown effects that are reflected in elevated or reduced risks of certain kinds of cancer for TS patients. The impact of TS on the risk of solid tumors will be explored in this article.Â
What are solid tumors?
A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that can occur almost anywhere in the body (NI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, n.d.; Aipuppa et al., 2020). Tumors can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). Many different kinds of cancer can cause solid tumors (Aipuppa et al., 2020). For example, a solid tumor in the kidneys could be caused by renal cell carcinoma, clear cell sarcoma, or another kind of cancer (Aipuppa et al., 2020).Â
General risk factors for cancer include:Â
- Alcohol consumption
- Family history
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) -> cervical cancer
- Obesity
- Tobacco use
- Air pollution/exposure to carcinogens
- Hepatitis
- Sedentary lifestyle
(Cancer Risk Factors, 2024; World Health Organization:WHO, 2025).Â
Symptoms of solid tumors can vary depending on the tumor’s location, size, and cancerous potential (Tumor, 2024). Sometimes solid tumors can be felt as a mass beneath the skin (Tumor, 2024).Â
Symptoms can include but are not limited to:Â
- Fatigue
- Fever, chills
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Painful lump (not all tumors cause pain)
(Tumor, 2024).Â
Complications can arise from both benign and malignant tumors. Both may place pressure on organs that can affect their function (Tumor, 2024). Malignant tumors made of endocrine cells especially can produce excess of a hormone, resulting in a hormone imbalance within the body (Tumor, 2024). Malignant tumors can also metastasize, or spread, throughout the body (Tumor, 2024).
Turner Syndrome and Solid Tumors
A study done through the Swedish Hospital and Cancer registries found that persons with Turner Syndrome had a slightly increased risk of solid tumors (Ji et al., 2016). This is theorized to be related to the alterations in the X chromosome found in TS patients (Ji et al., 2016). Lacking or having an altered X chromosome has been shown to correlate with immune dysfunction (Ji et al., 2016). This relates to increased solid tumor risk as specific immune cells, known as natural killer cells, are responsible for finding and destroying cancerous or precancerous cells before they can grow or mutate enough to evade detection by the immune system. Therefore, an alteration in the X chromosome can reduce their ability to do so and lower the body’s natural defenses against the development of solid tumors.
What can you do?
Since cancerous cells often develop from the accumulation of mutations in specific genes, avoiding causes of these mutations can help reduce the risks of solid tumors forming. These prevention methods includeÂ
- Avoiding smoking in all forms (including vapes and e-cigarettes)
- Drinking alcohol moderately or not at all
- Eating balanced meals with nutrient-rich foods
- Staying physically active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting vaccinations against viruses such as HPV that can cause cancer.Â
(Tumor, 2024)
If you have a family history of solid tumors or cancers of a certain kind, regular examinations such as mammograms, prostate exams, or colonoscopies can help detect tumors early, when treatment is most effective (Tumor, 2024).Â
If you have abnormal symptoms or feel an abnormal lump under your skin, seek guidance from a healthcare provider. They will likely recommend a biopsy to remove cells from the tumor so that a pathologist can examine these cells to determine whether or not they are cancerous (Tumor, 2024). Certain types of cancer also have specific markers that can be detected via blood test, or imaging scans such as MRI or CT can determine the position and size of a tumor (Tumor, 2024).
If a tumor is found to be non cancerous, it may not need treatment unless it is pressing on vital organs or affecting normal bodily functions, at which point surgery may be required to remove it (Tumor, 2024).Â
Cancerous tumors can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and many other options that have been developed (Tumor, 2024). Cancer is most successfully treated at its earliest stages, so keep up with vaccinations, exams, and screenings to ensure that if a tumor develops, your healthcare providers will be able to detect it and treat it as soon as possible.Â
Written by Nadia Kim, TSF Volunteer Blog Writer. Designed by Delvis Rodriguez, Digital Marketing Coordinator
© Turner Syndrome Foundation, 2025
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 6 years ago after experiencing weakness, numbness, and other symptoms. Despite numerous treatments, my condition worsened, and I was losing hope. Two years ago, my son recommended EarthCure Herbal Clinic( www. earthcureherbalclinic .com), where Dr. Madida Sam helped cure a friend’s mother of Parkinson Disease and HPV. I decided to give it a try, and within four months, all my symptoms reversed. It’s been two years, and I’m symptom-free, back to work, and living a healthy life. My doctors were amazed by my recovery. I highly recommend EarthCure, it’s been life-changing for me.