title: When Benign Tumors Mimic Malignancies: A Case of Lymphangiomatosis Masquerading as Metastatic Disease.
abstract: Lymphangiomatosis, a rare disorder of the lymphatic system characterized by the abnormal proliferation of lymphatic vessels, is a typically benign disorder that at times can exhibit invasive or malignant behavior. While generally considered a diagnosis of childhood, in adults the majority of cases are asymptomatic and found incidentally. Rarely, lymphatic overgrowth can occur, causing growth of lesions on imaging mimicking a metastatic process and occasionally, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. Here, we present such a case of lymphangiomatosis with multi-organ system involvement in liver, bone, and spleen. In addition to details of the clinical presentation and the pathologic review which led to the diagnosis, we describe our use of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor pazopanib, which may cause stabilization of lymphangiomatosis through blockade of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, for systemic treatment in this unusual case.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA.
authors.forename: Kristen R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research, Building 10, Magnuson CC, Room 2B50, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA.
authors.forename: Markku M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Miettinen
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Annenberg Building Floor 4, Room 4-52, 1468 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029 USA.
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Maki
authors.affiliation: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903 USA ; Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA.
authors.forename: Janice M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mehnert
keywords: Lymphangiomatosis; Pazopanib; VEGF