Menstrual cycle variation of retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyomas in lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Abstract

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease affecting women, classically involving the lungs. However, extrapulmonary manifestations also occur, including renal angiomyolipomas, retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyomas and extrathoracic lymphadenopathy. The lung disease is hormone-responsive, but no information exists regarding sex hormone responsiveness of abdominal LAM. Here, we report two women with LAM whose abdominal lymphangioleiomyomas increased in size with hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle. This is the first description of abdominal lymphangioleiomyomas exhibiting hormone responsiveness in LAM. We describe these cases and summarize the literature on abdominal LAM. Menstrual cycle variation should be taken into account when assessing response to therapy, both clinically and in research studies.

• Authors: A Sandrini, E Silverstone, D H Yates
• Journal: Internal medicine journal (Intern Med J) Vol. 41 Issue 12 Pg. 832-5 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 1445-5994 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 22151950 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2011 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal © 2011 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (blood, diagnosis)
• Lymphangiomyoma (blood, diagnosis)
• Menstrual Cycle (blood)
• Retroperitoneal Space (pathology)