Renal angiomyolipoma is a rare, benign tumor that affects the kidneys and is made up of fat, blood vessels, and muscles.The causes are not exactly defined, but the onset of this disease may be related to genetic changes and other kidney diseases.Although angiomyolipoma is more common in the kidneys, it can occur in other organs in the body.
Most of the time, renal angiomyolipoma has no symptoms, but if it measures more than 4 cm it can cause bleeding in the kidneys and in these cases back pain, nausea, increased blood pressure and blood in the urine may occur.
- Diagnosis usually occurs by chance.
- After imaging tests to investigate another disease.
- And the nephrologist defines treatment after checking the size of angiomyolipoma in the kidneys.
In most cases, angiomyolipoma has no symptoms; however, when angiomyolipoma is considered large, i.e. greater than 4 cm, it can generate symptoms such as:
In addition, symptoms are more common when this type of tumor causes bleeding in the kidneys, in such cases, symptoms can include a sudden drop in blood pressure, very severe abdominal pain, a feeling of weakness and very pale skin.
To confirm the diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma, your nephrologist may order certain imaging tests such as angiography, ultrasound, CT, and MRI.
Renal angiomyolipoma tumors are easier to diagnose when they are composed of fat, and in cases where there is a low fat content or bleeding that makes it difficult to see the imaging exam, the nephrologist may order a biopsy.a biopsy is performed.
After the exams, the nephrologist will define the treatment based on the characteristics of the kidney damage. When the renal angiomyolipoma tumor is smaller than 4 cm, growth is usually followed with annual imaging tests.
The most suitable drugs for the treatment of renal angiomyolipoma are immunosuppressants and sirolimus which, by their action, help reduce the size of the tumor.
However, if the renal angiomyolipoma is larger than 4 cm or if it causes more severe symptoms, embolization is usually indicated, which is a procedure to reduce blood flow and help shrink the tumor. Also, surgery to remove the tumor and the affected part of the kidney may be indicated to prevent this tumor from rupturing and causing bleeding.
When renal angiomyolipoma causes bleeding symptoms such as low blood pressure, pale skin and fainting, you should go to the hospital immediately to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, have emergency surgery to stop kidney bleeding.
The causes of renal angiomyolipoma are not clearly defined, but their onset is often associated with another disease, such as tuberous sclerosis.Understand what tuberous sclerosis and its symptoms are.
In general, anyone can develop renal angiomyolipoma, but women may develop larger tumors due to female hormone replacement or hormone release during pregnancy.