What is Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)?

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease. It is a progressive lung disease. Many LAM patients expire due to respiratory insufficiency within approximately 10 years of being diagnosed.

LAM is characterized by an unusual type of muscle cell that invades the lung tissues, the airways, the blood vessles and also the lymph vessels. Even though these muscle cells are not cancerous, they continue to grow over time. Eventually, they block the air-flow, impair the blood flow, and invade the lymph vessels connecting to and from the lungs.

Over time, LAM usually leads to respiratory insufficiency.

Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM):

• Increasing shortness of breath,
• Air into the chest cavity (pneumothorax),
• Leakage of fluid into the chest cavity (pleural effusions), and
• Blood in sputum or blood in cough (hemoptysis)

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM):

• Pulmonary Function Tests,
• Blood Tests,
• Chest X-ray,
• Computed Tomography (CT Scans), and
• Lung Biopsy

Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) Treatment:

• Estrogen Therapy

  Because LAM affects almost exclusively women of childbearing age, it is believed that estrogen hormone might be involved in the abnormal muscle cell growth -just as estrogen is involved in the growth of smooth muscle in the uterus of woman in her childbearing years.

• Oxygen Therapy

  Oxygen therapy is often necessary if the lung function is significantly impaired.

• Lung transplantation

  Some times lung transplantation surgery is the only remaining option. LAM is has become one of the main reasons for lung transplant in young women.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / LAM Treatment News, and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / LAM Articles.

Note: Consult a qualified medical practitioner if you suspect lung disease. Information published at this mesothelioma lung disease asbestos cancer forum - or most other websites for that matter - should not be relied upon for health decisions. The information presented on this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical care, medical, legal, or professional advise. Please talk with your healthcare provider for all your health concerns.