Long term survival in a patient with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Can Respir J. 2002 Sep-Oct;9(5):342-6. doi: 10.1155/2002/958921.

Abstract

A patient with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis was diagnosed more than 22 years after the onset of symptoms by a thoracoscopic lung biopsy, after a high resolution computerized tomogram of the chest was highly suggestive of the disease. After nearly 30 years since the onset of her symptoms, the patient leads a relatively normal life with only mildly abnormal lung function and has minimal reduction in her exercise tolerance. There have been few reports of patients surviving for such a long time after the onset of this disease; the literature suggests that most patients die within 15 years of symptom onset.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Exercise Tolerance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / physiopathology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis* / pathology
  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis* / physiopathology
  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis* / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Time Factors