Diseases

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, progressive, systemic disease that typically results in cystic lung destruction and predominantly affects women, especially during child bearing years. It occurs in more than 30% of women with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC-LAM), a heritable syndrome that is associated with seizures, cognitive impairment and benign tumors in multiple tissues. Most LAM patients who present for medical evaluation have the sporadic form of the disease (S-LAM), however, which is not associated with other manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex. Mild cystic changes consistent with LAM have been described in 10-15% of men with TSC, but symptomatic LAM in males is extremely rare. Sporadic LAM occurs exclusively in women, with one published exception to date. Both TSC-LAM and S-LAM are associated with mutations in tuberous sclerosis genes. Lung destruction in LAM is a consequence of diffuse infiltration by neoplastic smooth muscle-like cells, which invade all lung structures including the lymphatics, airway walls, blood vessels, and interstitial spaces. The consequence of obstruction of the vessels and airways include chylous fluid accumulations, hemoptysis, airflow obstruction and pneumothorax. The typical disease course is characterized by progressive dyspnea on exertion, punctuated by recurrent pneumothoraces and, in some patients, chylous pleural effusions or ascites. Modern estimates for median survival in LAM have varied from 10 to 30 years, based on whether hospital based or population based cohorts are studied. Most patients have dyspnea on exertion with daily activities by 10 years after symptom onset and many will require supplemental oxygen over that interval. An FDA approved therapy, sirolimus, is now available for stabilization of lung function decline. Lung transplant remains the option of last resort for patients with advanced disease.

Lymphangioma

Lymphangioma is a lymphatic malformation, a benign proliferation of lymph vessels, forming a yellowish tumor on the skin, composed of a mass of dilated lymph vessels. It is often removed by a form of surgery using an electric current electrocoagulation for cosmetic reasons. It is rare, incidence being estimated at around one per 10,000 live births. Lymphangiomas are fluid-filled sacs resulting from blockage of the lymphatic system, and are often associated with karyotype abnormalities such as Turner syndrome.

Lymphatic filariasis

Filariasis (Philariasis) is a parasitic and infectious tropical disease, that is caused by thread-like filarial nematode worms.

There are 9 known filarial nematodes which use humans as the definitive host. These are divided into 3 groups according to the niche within the body that they occupy:

Lymphatic Filariasis, Subcutaneous Filariasis, and Serous Cavity Filariasis.

Lymphatic neoplasm

A tumor that develops in lymphatic tissue. The tumor may be cancerous or benign.

Lymphedema hereditary type 1

A rare inherited condition where tissue swelling (mainly involving the legs) occurs because of blockage of lymph drainage system.

Lymphedema hereditary type 2

A rare inherited condition where tissue swelling (mainly involving the legs) occurs because of blockage of lymph drainage system.

Lymphedema ptosis

A very rare syndrome characterized mainly by lymphedema (lymphatic obstruction) in the legs and droopy eyelids.

Lymphedema- congenital

A very disorder present from birth where the lymph system is obstructed. Often, other abnormalities are also present.

Lymphoblastic lymphoma

Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a very rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults, accounting for less than 3 in 100 cases overall. However, it accounts for more than 1 in 3 of all cases occurring in children and teenagers. It more commonly affects males than females. It may develop from either T- or B-lymphocytes, but in 4 out of 5 cases the T-lymphocytes are affected.

Lymphoblastic lymphoma is very similar to the condition acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). In ALL, the abnormal lymphocytes are mainly in the blood and bone marrow, whereas in lymphoblastic lymphoma they are generally in the lymph nodes or thymus gland. The two conditions are often treated in very similar ways.

Lymphocytes absent

(medical condition): Reduced level of circulating T lymphocytes which are involved in the body's immune system. It is not associated with HIV infection or any other detectable immunodeficiency disease.

Lymphocytic hypophysitis

an acute anterior pituitary lymphocytic reaction characterized clinically by signs and symptoms of anterior pituitary insufficiency; probably an autoimmune disorder because antipituitary antibodies are present in the serum. SYN: lymphoid hypophysitis.

Lymphocytic infiltrate of Jessner

A rare condition where lymph cells collect in the skin resulting in small, reddish skin lumps which occur mainly on the neck, face and back. The lesions may persist for years but eventually heal without scarring.

Lymphocytic vasculitis

Blood vessel inflammation due to infiltration of blood vessel walls with lymphocytes which can causes raised skin welts which can be tender and painful. The skin often remains darkened after the lesions are resolved.

Lymphocytopenia

It is the condition of having an abnormally low level of lymphocytes in the blood. Lymphocytes are a white blood cell with important functions in the immune system. The opposite is lymphocytosis, which refers to an excessive level of lymphocytes.
Lymphocytopenia may be present as part of a pancytopenia, when the total numbers of all types of blood cells are reduced.

Lymphoid hamartoma

A rare genetic disorder characterized by lymphedema and a double row of eyelashes as well as other abnormalities.

Lymphoid hamartoma

An aggressive Non-Hodgkin's adult lymphoma, comprised of two clinical syndromes: nasal T-cell lymphoma (previously called lethal midline granuloma) and pulmonary angiocentric B-cell lymphoma (previously called lymphomatoid granulomatosis).

Lymphoma- AIDS-related

HIV patients face an increased risk of various infections and cancers. AIDS-related lymphoma is lymphoma that occurs in AIDS patients. Lymphomas are white blood cell cancers (white blood cells form part of the body's immune system).

Lymphoma- large-cell- immunoblastic

: A cancer of the immune system characterized by the presence of immunoblasts. Immunoblasts are T cells which have been transformed due to stimulation by an antigen.

Lymphoma- small cleaved-cell- diffuse

A slow-growing cancer of the lymph system that involves small cells. The diffuse form has no distinguishable pattern of progression through the lymph node.

Lymphoma- small cleaved-cell- follicular

A slow-growing cancer of the lymph system consisting of small cells that can circulate readily in the blood. The cancer occurs in a follicular pattern. Despite it's ability to spread, the cancer tends to be less aggressive than the large cell variety.

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis

A rare, progressive blood vessel disease where nodular lesions destroy blood vessels - lungs, skin and nervous system are mainly involved.

Lymphomatoid papulosis

A chronic skin disease characterized by recurring patches of skin bumps and nodules that occur mainly on the trunk, arms and legs. Scarring may occur in some cases. The skin rash heals but reoccurs intermittently over many years.

Lymphosarcoma

Cancer involving lymph nodes and the immune system.

Lynch syndrome

Lynch syndrome (also known as HNPCC or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) is an autosomal dominant genetic condition that has a high risk of colon cancer as well as other cancers including endometrial cancer (second most common), ovary, stomach, small intestine, hepatobiliary tract, upper urinary tract, brain, and skin. The increased risk for these cancers is due to inherited mutations that impair DNA mismatch repair. It is a type of cancer syndrome.