What Causes Angiomyolipoma?

Tuberous Sclerosis

Angiomyolipoma is strongly associated with tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disease in which most individuals develop angiomyolipomas on one or both kidneys. This genetic disorder is rare and affects multiple bodily systems, causing benign tumors to develop in vital organs such as the brain, eyes, lungs, and kidneys. It can also cause other symptoms such as behavioral issues, developmental delay, intellectual delay, kidney disease, and skin abnormalities. More than fifty percent of patients with tuberous sclerosis (TS) also develop angiomyolipoma.

It is common for people with TS to require at least one form of intervention over their lifetime to treat tumors. Considering TS can impair kidney function, it is possible for the kidney to lose up to half of its function before the loss is detectable. Treatment usually involves embolization to shrink the tumor and reduce the risk of bleeding.

Continue to discover a rare illness that can cause angiomyolipoma to develop.