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Any Treacher-Collins syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the POLR1C gene.
Features include always present findings: Malar flattening, Microtia, Conductive hearing impairment, and Hypoplasia of the zygomatic bone and others; and common findings: Downslanted palpebral fissures, Cleft palate, and Lower eyelid coloboma. 9 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Head and neck | 2 | Cleft palate, Mandibulofacial dysostosis |
Ears | 1 | Conductive hearing impairment |
Bones and joints | 1 | Hypoplasia of the zygomatic bone |
Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is characterized by bilateral and symmetric downslanted palpebral fissures, malar hypoplasia, and micro- or retrognathia. Hypoplasia of the zygomatic bones, maxilla, and mandible can cause significant respiratory and feeding difficulties. Ear abnormalities are associated with conductive hearing loss. Other, less common abnormalities include cleft palate and unilateral or bilateral choanal stenosis or atresia. Significant inter- and intrafamilial clinical variability is common. While some individuals may be so mildly affected as to go undiagnosed, others can have severe facial involvement and life-threatening airway compromise . To date, more than 5,000 individuals have been identified with a pathogenic variant in one of the genes listed in .
Source: GeneReviews — "Treacher Collins Syndrome"
POLR1C function has not been fully characterized.
Treacher Collins syndrome 3 has been associated with mutations in the POLR1C gene on chromosome 6.
TCOF1
Individuals with TCOF1 duplications tend to have a milder presentation than individuals with other TCOF1 pathogenic variants .
The most common 5-bp deletion in exon 24 has been reported to have a higher severity than other exon 24 pathogenic variants .
Individuals with pathogenic variants in exon 15 have a significantly lower frequency of microtia, conductive deafness, and atresia of the external ear canal .
Source: GeneReviews — "Treacher Collins Syndrome"
While the penetrance of pathogenic variants associated with TCS is high, reduced penetrance in TCOF1 and POLR1D has also been reported.
Source: GeneReviews — "Treacher Collins Syndrome"
No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) have been published.
TCS should be suspected in probands with the following craniofacial features, conductive hearing loss, and radiographic features.
Craniofacial features
Source: GeneReviews — "Treacher Collins Syndrome"
Table 3a. Genes of Interest in the Differential Diagnosis of Treacher Collins Syndrome
Gene | Disorder | MOI | Features of Disorder |
|---|---|---|---|
DHODH | Postaxial acrofacial dysostosis, DHODH-related (Miller syndrome) (OMIM 263750) | AR | Mandibulofacial dysostosis; Eyelid coloboma; Micrognathia; Cleft lip/palate |
PLCB4 | Auriculocondylar syndrome (OMIM PS602483) | ADAR | Mandibulofacial hypoplasia; Malformed ears; Micrognathia |
EDNRA | Mandibulofacial dysostosis w/alopecia, EDNRA-related (OMIM 616367) | AD | Mandibulofacial dysostosis; Malformed ears; Eyelid coloboma |
Genetic testing for POLR1C is available. Testing is considered supportive for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for Treacher Collins syndrome 3 has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for Treacher Collins syndrome 3. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) have been published. In the absence of published guidelines, the following recommendations are based on the authors' personal experience managing individuals with this disorder. Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with TCS, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended. Table 4. Treacher Collins Syndrome: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Eyes | Ophthalmologic eval w/attention to extraocular movement, corneal exposure, visual acuity | — |
Hearing | Formal audiology eval (See Genetic Hearing Loss Overview.) | In those w/conductive hearing loss identified at age 6 mos: craniofacial CT scan (axial coronal slices) to assess anatomy of head neck, external auditory canal, middle ear, inner ear |
Respiratory | Assess for choanal atresia/stenosis, micrognathia, glossoptosis predisposing to obstruction of oropharynx. | If obstructive sleep apnea is suspected, consider sleep study. |
Feeding/Nutrition | Assess for cleft palate swallowing function. | — |
Dental | Assess for dental anomalies. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Treacher Collins Syndrome"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions.
Source: GeneReviews — "Treacher Collins Syndrome"
View trials for Treacher Collins syndrome 3
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in are recommended. Table 5. Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with Treacher Collins Syndrome
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Eyes | Ophthalmology eval | Annually or as needed Hearing |
Airway | Assess for manifestations of obstructive sleep apnea. | At each visit Feeding/Nutrition |
Dental | Dental exam | Every 6 mos Orthodontia exam |
Musculoskeletal manifestations | Clinical assessment for scoliosis pes planus | Annually |
Developmental | Assess speech development educational progress. | Annually or as needed |
Source: GeneReviews — "Treacher Collins Syndrome"
Phenotype severity distribution: 5 always present features, 3 common features.
No clinical trials have been registered for Treacher Collins syndrome 3.
20 publications have been identified in PubMed for Treacher Collins syndrome 3. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (26%), Basic Science / Preclinical (26%), and Epidemiology / Natural History (21%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 5 | 26% |
Laboratory research | 5 | 26% |
Disease patterns and progression | 4 | 21% |
Research summaries | 3 | 16% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 1 | 5% |
Clinical study results | 1 | 5% |
Camarillo-Benitez S (2026). [PMID: 41752027](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41752027/). *International journal of molecular sciences*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Wang B (2026). [PMID: 41527140](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41527140/). *Journal of medical case reports*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Ferraro F (2026). [PMID: 41017149](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41017149/). *HGG advances*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Kawakami K (2026). [PMID: 41542823](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41542823/). *FEBS open bio*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Li X (2025). [PMID: 39389540](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39389540/). *Journal of stomatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Gorjão N (2025). [PMID: 40222657](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40222657/). *Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular cell research*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Ma LK (2025). [PMID: 38105178](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38105178/). *The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Saleeb MF (2025). [PMID: 39210075](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39210075/). *European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
van Roey VL (2025). [PMID: 40387849](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40387849/). *The Journal of craniofacial surgery*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Wenger TL (2025). [PMID: 40280475](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40280475/). *The Journal of pediatrics*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Data assembled from 7 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 2:59 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about Treacher Collins syndrome 3
EFTUD2 | Mandibulofacial dysostosis w/microcephaly, EFTUD2-related (Guion-Almeida type) | AD | Mandibulofacial dysostosis; Microtia; Preauricular skin tags |
Thumb abnormalities in ~33% FOXI31SF3B22 | Hemifacial microsomia (Goldenhar syndrome, Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum) (OMIM PS164210) | ADAR | Mandibulofacial dysostosis; Microtia; Preauricular skin tags; Cleft lip/palate |
Vertebral anomalies, Klippel-Feil anomaly POLR1A3 | Mandibulofacial dysostosis w/limb deficiencies, POLR1A-related (Cincinnati type) (OMIM 616462) | AD | Mandibulofacial dysostosis; Micrognathia; Eyelid coloboma; Cleft lip/palate; Microtia/anotia |
TSR2 | Diamond-Blackfan anemia w/mandibulofacial dysostosis | ADXL | Downslanted palpebral fissures; Micrognathia; Mandibulofacial dysostosis; Malformed ears |
SF3B4 | Acrofacial dysostosis, SF3B4-related (Nager syndrome) (OMIM 154400) | AD | Downslanted palpebral fissures; Micrognathia; Mandibulofacial dysostosis; Preaxial abnormalities (e.g. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Treacher Collins Syndrome"
When teeth have erupted |
Cardiac | Cardiology eval w/echocardiogram | To assess for structural heart defects |
Gastrointestinal | In those w/persistent feeding issues, consider assessment for pyloric stenosis, esophageal abnormalities, intestinal pseudo-obstruction. | — |
Musculoskeletal | Clinical assessment for spine limb anomalies w/radiographs as needed | — |
Renal | Renal ultrasound | To assess for structural renal defects |
Genetic counseling | By genetics professionals1 | To inform affected persons their families re nature, MOI, implications of TCS to facilitate medical personal decision making Family support |
resources | By clinicians, wider care team, family support organizations | Assessment of family social structure to determine need for:; Community or such as Parent to Parent; Social work involvement for parental support; Home nursing referral MOI = mode of inheritance; TCS = Treacher Collins syndrome 1. |