Renal angiomyolipoma in tuberous sclerosis complex: Case series and literature review

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disease characterized by the growth of numerous noncancerous tumors in many parts of the body mainly the skin, brain, kidneys. The prevalence of the disease is estimated to be 7 – 12 in 100,000. We report the cases of two black African women diagnosed with TSC at age 25 and 54. They both had renal angiomyolipoma, facial angiofibroma and diffuse hypochromic macules. The older patient remained stable for the 11 years following her diagnosis. But, in the second patient, the disease was more severe with a giant angiomyolipoma, complicated by renal intracystic hemorrhage leading to the patient’s death 1 month after diagnosis. Renal involvement can be life-threatening in patients with TSC. The risk of fatal bleeding increases with the size of the tumor. The mTOR inhibitors and angioembolization can improve the prognosis of this disease.