Indian Journal of Pathology and Oncology 2020;7(3):435–440
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Indian Journal of Pathology and Oncology
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Original Research Article
Angiomyolipoma managed by partial nephrectomy: Outcomes and follow-up
R B Nerli
1,
*, Adarsh C Sanikop
2
, Sushant Deole
1
, Sreeharsha Nutalapati
1
,
Shridhar C Ghagane
1
, Saziya R Bidi
3
, Neeraj S Dixit
3
, Murigendra B Hiremath
4
1
Dept. of Urology, J N Medical College, KLE Academy of Higher Education & Research (Deemed-to-be-University), JNMC
Campus, Belagavi, Karnataka, India
2
Dept. of Pathology, J N Medical College, KLE Academy of Higher Education & Research (Deemed-to-be-University), JNMC
Campus, Belagavi, Karnataka, India
3
Dept. of Urology, KLES Kidney Foundation, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Belagavi,
Karnataka, India
4
Dept. of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
ARTICLE INFO
Article history:
Received 28-11-2019
Accepted 03-04-2020
Available online 19-08-2020
Keywords:
Angiomyolipoma
Nephron sparing surgery
Renal mass
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a benign neoplasm and consists of thick-walled poorly
organized blood vessels, smooth muscle, and varying levels of mature adipose tissue. We evaluated the
impact of clinical characteristics, particularly tumor diameter, and surgical treatment in the form of partial
nephrectomy on the outcome of sporadic renal AML.
Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing partial nephrectomy during the period Jan 2000 to Dec 2016
with a final diagnosis of angiomyolipoma formed the study group. Patient demographic data was collected,
and data from during and after surgery was also reviewed.
Results: The median age of the patients was 51 (38-55) years. At presentation, most patients were
asymptomatic (6/8, 75%) with the AML presenting as an incidental finding on imaging done for other
reasons. There was classical triphasic AML, consisting of elements of adipose tissue, smooth muscle and
abnormal blood vessels, in 5/10 tumours (50%). The more aggressive epitheliod variant AML was present
in 2/10 (20%). The median follow-up of the patients was 38 (29-64) months. During the follow-up period
one (12.5%) patient who had two lesions progressively showed evidence of rising creatinine and decreasing
creatinine clearance.
Conclusions: AML is a benign renal neoplasm and should be treated initially conservatively. Surgical
intervention when required should be nephron sparing so as to reduce the incidence of perioperative
complications, loss of renal units, and development of CKD.
© 2020 Published by Innovative Publication. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)
1. Introduction
Angiomyolipoma (AML) accounts for less than 10% of
renal tumors, with autopsy series and ultrasound-screened
populations showing incidences of 0.3% and 0.13%,
respectively, in the general population.
1,2
It is a benign
neoplasm and consists of thick-walled poorly organized
blood vessels, smooth muscle, and varying levels of mature
adipose tissue.
3,4
Initially it was considered to be a form of
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: rbnerli@gmail.com (R. B. Nerli).
hamartoma however, recent evidence has suggested that it is
neoplastic in origin with evidence of a monoclonal, rather
than polyclonal, source.
1,5
Angiomyolipoma derives itself
from perivascular epithelioid cells, belonging to a group of
tumors referred to as PEComas (perivascular epithelioid cell
tumors).
4,6
The tumor is predominantly found in females,
1
is rare before puberty, suggesting a potential hormonal
influence and strongly expresses estrogen receptor β ,
progesterone receptor, and androgen receptor.
7
The most common complication related to renal AML is
retroperitoneal bleeding, which has been reported in 15%
https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijpo.2020.086
2394-6784/© 2020 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved. 435