Retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyoma mimicking ovarian tumor emerging after tamoxifen therapy.
BACKGROUND
Lymphangioleiomyomas are lymphatic masses that can be associated with lymphangioleiomyomatosis. They are usually associated with pulmonary involvement.


METHODS
A 44-year-old premenopausal woman with breast cancer treated with adjuvant tamoxifen presented with abdominal distension. A thoraco-abdominopelvic enhanced computed tomography scan showed a 22 x 21 x 12 cm well-encapsulated, complex pelvic mass. An ovarian cystadenocarcinoma was suspected. Surgery revealed a retroperitoneal mass that was removed with uterus and both adnexae. Histological and immunohistochemical studies diagnosed a lymphangioleiomyoma. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were positive on smooth muscle cells and human melanoma black 45 was negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Isolated retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyoma is rare and difficult to detect in the absence of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis. We speculate that tamoxifen treatment may play a role in the development of this benign tumor.
Atallah
David
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôtel Dieu de France, Beirut, Lebanon. davidatallah@yahoo.com
Checrallah
Antoine
A
Rouzier
Roman
R
Ghossain
Michel A
MA
Chahine
Georges
G
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008203:Lymphangiomyoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D013629:Tamoxifen