Angiomyolipoma

Angiomyolipoma is a benign tumor of the kidney, with high levels of adipose tissue. The risk group is women between the ages of 40 and 60 years. In 80% of the cases are asymptomatic angiomyolipomas, so no complaints occur.

The tumor starts from the epithelioid cells, whereby it is assumed that the round to oval-shaped angiomyolipomas which bulge over the kidney capsule, grow hormone-dependent. Studies have shown that kidney tumors are characterized by mature fat cells as well as smooth muscle cells and blood vessels.

The asymptomatic angiomyolipomas occur in equal distribution in men and women. The peak age is at 30 years. In some patients, the angiomyolipoma is associated with tuberous sclerosis.

In general, angiomyolipomas do not metastasise, although in some cases the tumors grow into the surrounding fatty tissue of the kidney, the renal pelvis, or the renal nerves. After this, various complications can appear.