Hamartoma - what is it: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Hamartoma is a benign neoplasm with predominant localization in the lungs. Retinal hamartoma and liver hamartoma are much less common.
A benign tumor is a neoplasm without invasion of neighboring tissues, it grows slowly. Such tumors do not metastasize and do not malign. The severity of symptoms depends on the size and localization features.
What are the types of hamartomas?
- lipomatous (formed by a fatty component);
- chondromatous (the most common is chondromatous hamartoma of the lungs)
- leiomyomatous (consists of smooth muscle fibers);
- angiomatous (predominance of the vascular component in the structure);
- organoid;
- Fibromatous (in a separate section, fibrous hamartoma of infants will be discussed).
Neoplasms can be single and multiple.
Chondromatous hamartoma of the lungs
Pulmonary hamartoma is a congenital benign tumor consisting of lung tissue, vascular structures and cartilage. There are three types of it: endobronchial, anterior peripheral and posterior peripheral.
Symptoms. In most cases, the symptoms are mild. As a rule, the diagnosis is made based on the results of MRI or radiography. The patient may complain of cough, shortness of breath and chest pain. The diagnosis is made based on the patient's history, condition, and the results of instrumental studies. Additional examination methods include a puncture to determine the status of the tumor and a biopsy. In contrast to biliary hamartoma of the liver, the diagnosis of chondromatous hamartoma of the lung is made more often.
Fibrous hamartoma in children
The neoplasm occurs during fetal development. The exact causes of fibrous hamartoma have not yet been studied. However, doctors associate the development of pathology with heredity, gene mutations, and the influence of unfavorable factors on the embryo.
Symptoms of the disease
- periodic cough;
- mild chest pain;
- shortness of breath
- hemoptysis (manifested with the progression of the disease).
The tumor is usually detected by chance after an X-ray or examination for another disease. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe ultrasound, MRI, electroencephalographic examination and fibrobronchoscopy.
Treatment of fibrous hamartoma in children consists of constant medical supervision, symptomatic therapy (in case of exacerbation of symptoms) and surgical intervention (in case of disease progression).
Causes of hypothalamic hamartoma
This type of tumor is considered rare and difficult to diagnose and treat. Hamartoma of the hypothalamus manifests itself in the form of seizures, cognitive disorders and endocrinological disorders. Premature puberty is a characteristic symptom of the pathology.
The diagnosis is made based on the results of MRI, EEG (electroencephalography), neuropsychological testing, taking into account the general symptoms and complaints of the patient.
The main causes of hypothalamic hamartoma are genetic disorders and the influence of negative factors during fetal development (infections, stress and inflammatory diseases of the mother). This diagnosis is made to one in 200 thousand children.
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General diagnosis of the disease
Diagnostics includes X-ray, MRI, computed tomography, electroencephalogram, hormone test. The patient is recommended to undergo a neurological examination, during which the degree of skin sensitivity, reflexes, cerebellar function, and disorders of the vestibular apparatus will be assessed.
During the consultation, the doctor will help you decide on the diagnostic method and answer the question of whether the splenic hamartoma is visible on CT scan.
Treatment of the disease
Hamartoma of the lungs. If the disease does not progress, the patient is recommended to be constantly monitored by a pulmonologist or therapist. In case of growth, surgical intervention is indicated. The tumor is removed by hollowing out the lung tissue or by resection. The decision is made by the doctor.
Hamartoma of the hypothalamus. Treatment of the tumor is long and includes the use of anticonvulsants and luteinizing hormone receptor agonists. The operation is performed according to special indications.
Hamartoma of the breast in an asymptomatic course requires regular medical supervision. Removal of breast hamartoma is recommended in case of tumor growth and abnormal biopsy results. Lampectomy is an operation to remove a tumor that is performed under general anesthesia. A small incision is made in the patient's breast, through which a probe connected to a vacuum is inserted and the tumor is removed. The operation is considered minimally invasive with a minimum of complications.
Related services:
Computed tomography
Magnetic resonance imaging
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