Retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyomatosis. A 36-year benign course in a postmenopausal woman

An 89-year-old asymptomatic white woman was found to have a pelvic mass with retroperitoneal extension. Biopsy of the lesion demonstrated lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Review of her records revealed that 36 years ago a mass in the same location had been found incidentally and biopsy was performed during abdominoperineal resection for rectal carcinoma. Comparison of the old and recent biopsy specimens showed an identical histologic appearance. This case, therefore, represents a benign, localized form of lymphangioleiomyomatosis; the long survival without therapy may be related to the fact that this patient was postmenopausal.