page_title: Angiomyolipoma
section_title: Signs and symptoms
hierarchical_section_title: Angiomyolipoma / Signs and symptoms
caption_attribution_description: English: Patient with tuberous sclerosis and multiple angiomyolipomas in the kidney. Measurement of kidney length on the US image is illustrated by ‘+’ and a dashed line. For context, see en:Renal ultrasonography
context_page_description: Angiomyolipomas are the most common benign tumour of the kidney. Although regarded as benign, angiomyolipomas may grow such that kidney function is impaired or the blood vessels may dilate and burst, leading to bleeding.
  Angiomyolipomas are strongly associated with the genetic disease tuberous sclerosis, in which most individuals have several angiomyolipomas affecting both kidneys. They are also commonly found in women with the rare lung disease lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Angiomyolipomas are less commonly found in the liver and rarely in other organs. Whether associated with these diseases or sporadic, angiomyolipomas are caused by mutations in either the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, which govern cell growth and proliferation. They are composed of blood vessels, smooth muscle cells, and fat cells.
  Large angiomyolipoma can be treated with embolisation. Drug therapy for angiomyolipoma is at the research stage. The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance has published guidelines on diagnosis, surveillance, and management.
context_section_description: If the dilated blood vessels in an angiomyolipoma rupture, the resulting retroperitoneal haemorrhage causes sudden pain, accompanied with nausea and vomiting. When the patient presents in the emergency department, up to 20% are in shock.
caption: Renal ultrasonography of a person with tuberous sclerosis and multiple angiomyolipomas in the kidney: Measurement of kidney length on the US image is illustrated by ‘+’ and a dashed line.
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