Hamartoma

Not to be confused with hematoma.
Hamartoma
A large hamartoma of the spleen. The hamartoma is the dark circular object on the left that dominates the image. This is a cross-section, the growth being about 9 cm in diameter, while the entire spleen is about 11 cm in diameter .[1]
Classification and external resources
Specialty medical genetics
ICD-10 Q85.9
ICD-9-CM 757.32, 759.6
DiseasesDB 19785
Patient UK Hamartoma
MeSH D006222

A hamartoma[2] is a benign,[3] focal malformation that resembles a neoplasm in the tissue of its origin. This is not a malignant tumor, and it grows at the same rate as the surrounding tissues. It is composed of tissue elements normally found at that site, but which are growing in a disorganized mass. They occur in many different parts of the body and are most often asymptomatic and undetected unless seen on an image taken for another reason (incidentaloma).

Additionally, the definition of hamartoma versus benign neoplasm is often unclear since both lesions can be clonal. Lesions such as hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, rhabdomyomas, adenomas and developmental cysts within the kidneys, lungs or pancreas are interpreted by some experts as hamartomas while others consider them true neoplasms. Moreover, even though hamartomas show a benign histology, it does not eliminate some rare but life-threatening clinical issues such as those found in tuberous sclerosis and neurofibromatosis type I.[4]

Choristomas, forms of heterotopia, are closely related benign tumors, found in abnormal locations.[5] The two can be differentiated as follows: a hamartoma is an excess of normal tissue in a normal situation (e.g. a birthmark on the skin), while a choristoma is an excess of tissue in an abnormal situation (e.g. pancreatic tissue in the duodenum).

Causes

Hamartomas result from an abnormal formation of normal tissue, although the underlying reasons for the abnormality are not fully understood. They grow along with, and at the same rate as, the organ from whose tissue they are made, and, unlike cancerous tumors, only rarely invade or compress surrounding structures significantly.

Prognosis

Hamartomas, while generally benign, can cause problems due to their location. For example, when located on the skin, especially on the face or neck, they can be very disfiguring. Cases have been reported of hamartomas the size of a small orange.[6] They may obstruct practically any organ in the body, such as the eye, the colon, etc. They are particularly likely to cause major health issues when located in the hypothalamus, spleen, kidneys or lips.

Types

Lung

Parenchymal hamartoma of the lung. The surrounding lung falls away from the well-circumscribed mass, a typical feature of these lesions. The hamartoma shows a variegated yellow and white appearance, which corresponds respectively to fat and cartilage.

The most common hamartomas occur in the lungs. About 5–8% of all solitary lung nodules, about 75% of all benign lung tumors, are hamartomas. They almost always arise from connective tissue and are generally formed of cartilage, fat, and connective tissue cells, although they may include many other types of cells. The great majority of them form in the connective tissue on the outside of the lungs, although about 10% form deep in the linings of the bronchi. They can be worrisome, especially if situated deep in the lung, as it is sometimes difficult to make the important distinction between a hamartoma and a lung malignancy. An X-ray will often not provide definitive diagnosis, and even a CT scan may be insufficient if the hamartoma lacks the typical cartilage and fat cells. Lung hamartomas are more common in men than in women, and may present additional difficulties in smokers. Lung hamartomas may have popcorn-like calcifications on chest xray or computed tomography (CT scan).

Some lung hamartomas can compress surrounding lung tissue to a degree, but this is generally not debilitating and is often asymptomatic, especially for the more common peripheral growths. They are treated, if at all, by surgical resection, with an excellent prognosis: generally, the only real danger is the inherent possibility of surgical complications.

Heart

Cardiac rhabdomyomas are hamartomas composed of altered cardiac myocytes that contain large vacuoles and glycogen. They are the most common tumor of the heart in children and infants. There is a strong association between cardiac rhabdomyomas and tuberous sclerosis (characterized by hamartomas of the central nervous system, kidneys and skin, as well as pancreatic cysts); 25-50% of patients with cardiac rhabdomyomas will have tuberous sclerosis, and up to 100% of patients with tuberous sclerosis will have cardiac masses by echocardiography. Symptoms depend on the size of the tumor, its location relative to the conduction system, and whether it obstructs blood flow. Symptoms are usually from congestive heart failure; in utero heart failure may occur. If patients survive infancy, their tumors may regress spontaneously; resection in symptomatic patients has good results.

Hypothalamus

One of the most troublesome hamartomas occurs on the hypothalamus. Unlike most such growths, a hypothalamic hamartoma is symptomatic; it most often causes gelastic seizures, and can cause visual problems, other seizures, rage disorders associated with hypothalamic diseases, and early onset of puberty. The symptoms typically begin in early infancy and are progressive, often into general cognitive and/or functional disability. Moreover, resection is usually difficult, as the growths are generally adjacent to, or even intertwined with, the optic nerve. Symptoms tend to be resistant to medical control, however surgical techniques are improving and can result in immense improvement of prognosis.[7]

Kidneys, spleen, and other vascular organs

One general danger of hamartoma is that they may impinge into blood vessels, resulting in a risk of serious bleeding. Because hamartoma typically lacks elastic tissue, it may lead to the formation of aneurysms and thus possible hemorrhage. Where a hamartoma impinges into a major blood vessel, such as the renal artery, hemorrhage must be considered life-threatening.

Hamartomas of the spleen are uncommon, but can be dangerous. About 50% of such cases manifest abdominal pain and they are often associated with hematologic abnormalities and spontaneous rupture.

Angiomyolipoma of the kidney was previously considered to be a hamartoma or choristoma.

Cowden syndrome

See also

References

  1. ↑ Uthman, Ed (2 January 1999). "Hamartoma of the spleen". [Personal website]. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  2. ↑ The term, from the Greek ἁμαρτία, hamartia "error", was introduced by D. P. G. Albrecht in 1904.
  3. ↑ "Taber's Medical Dictionary : hamartoma definition". Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  4. ↑ Kumar, Abbas, Aster. Robbin's Pathologic Basis of Disease (9th ed.). p. 481.
  5. ↑ "choristoma" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  6. ↑ Dermatology Image Atlas: Dermatology Images
  7. ↑ Barrow Neurological Institute
  8. ↑ Mutation of PTEN gene on arm 10q (~85% of cases) or rarely germline mutation in BMPR1A
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