Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM): Tests

LAM, or lymphangioleiomyomatosis, is a rare lung disease that mostly affects women of childbearing age. In LAM, abnormal, muscle-like cells begin to grow out of control in certain organs or tissues, especially the lungs, lymph nodes, and kidneys.

Part of: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)

Diagnosis of Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)

Methods for diagnosing LAM have improved. It’s now possible for doctors to diagnose the disease at an early stage.

LAM is diagnosed based on your signs and symptoms and the results from tests and procedures. If you have LAM, you may need to see a pulmonologist. This is a doctor who specializes in lung diseases and conditions.

Signs and Symptoms

Your doctor will ask about your signs and symptoms related to LAM. He or she may ask how long you’ve had symptoms, and whether they’ve become worse over time.

Many of LAM’s signs and symptoms are the same as those of other diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. Your doctor will want to rule out those conditions before making a final diagnosis.

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

Your doctor may recommend tests to show how well your lungs are working and what your lung tissue looks like.

These tests can show whether your lungs are delivering enough… Read more about Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM): Tests