Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (665 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A benign tumor containing vascular, adipose, and muscle elements. It occurs most often in the kidney with smooth muscle elements (angiolipoleiomyoma) in association with tuberous sclerosis. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Angiomyolipomas.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Neoplasms, Adipose Tissue; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 2,696 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Angiomyolipoma” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 491 of them (18.2%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 998 records.
Reviews account for 403 records (14.9%) and meta-analyses for 16. Randomized controlled trials number 15 (0.6%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 415 |
| 2000-2009 | 792 |
| 2010-2019 | 998 |
| 2020 onward | 491 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 403 | 14.9% |
| Meta-analyses | 16 | 0.6% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 15 | 0.6% |
Method: PubMed query "Angiomyolipoma"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cancer and oncology
Cancer research spans very different kinds of evidence. Laboratory studies in cell lines and animal models reveal mechanisms but often do not translate to patients. Early-phase trials mainly test safety and dosing, while phase 3 randomized trials and their meta-analyses are the usual basis for treatment conclusions. Outcomes also differ in meaning: tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival and overall survival are not interchangeable, and screening studies can be distorted by lead-time and overdiagnosis. When reading a result, check the cancer type and stage studied, the comparison treatment, and which outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renal angiomyolipoma: a radiological classification and update on recent developments in diagnosis and management | 2014 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 233 | cc by PMID 24504542 · DOI · PMC4040184 |
| An update on recent developments in rupture of renal angiomyolipoma | 2018 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 61 | cc by PMID 29668633 · DOI · PMC5916643 |
| Treatment of renal angiomyolipoma: pooled analysis of individual patient data | 2015 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 59 | cc by PMID 26710923 · DOI · PMC4693425 |
| Embolic Agent Selection and Outcomes in Renal Angiomyolipoma Embolisation | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 42017603 · DOI · PMC13471962 |
Renal angiomyolipoma: a radiological classification and update on recent developments in diagnosis and management [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Angiomyolipoma is the most common benign solid renal neoplasm observed in clinical practice.
- Closing excerpt
- We review recent developments and provide a radiological classification of angiomyolipomas that helps physicians understand the various types and learn how to both diagnose and manage them.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (151 words)
Angiomyolipoma is the most common benign solid renal neoplasm observed in clinical practice. Once thought to be a hamartoma and almost always diagnosed by the imaged-based detection of fat, angiomyolipomas are now known to consist of a heterogeneous group of neoplasms. Although all are considered perivascular epithelioid cell tumors, many display different pathology, imaging features, and clinical behavior. The importance of understanding this group of neoplasms is emphasized by the fact that many types of angiomyolipoma contain little to no fat, and despite being benign, sometimes escape a pre-operative diagnosis. These types of angiomyolipomas can all be considered when encountering a renal mass that is both hyperattenuating relative to renal parenchyma on unenhanced CT and T2-hypointense, features that reflect their predominant smooth muscle component. We review recent developments and provide a radiological classification of angiomyolipomas that helps physicians understand the various types and learn how to both diagnose and manage them.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 24504542 · DOI · PMC4040184
An update on recent developments in rupture of renal angiomyolipoma [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundRenal angiomyolipoma (AML) is a common benign tumor of the kidney.
- Closing excerpt
- Any decision to intervene AML must be based on multiple factors including risk, symptoms, and auxiliary findings.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (191 words)
BackgroundRenal angiomyolipoma (AML) is a common benign tumor of the kidney. The main complication of AML is retroperitoneal hemorrhage caused by AML rupture, which can be severe and life threatening. The risk of AML rupture used to be determined by tumor size. However, these criteria have been challenged by series of clinical studies and case reports, suggesting prediction AML rupture based on tumor size is not always reliable.MethodsThe authors searched PubMed using "angiomyolipoma," "AML," and "rupture" and reviewed relevant studies. The authors investigated the risk factors of AML rupture using the retrieved literature. The authors also summarized current modalities to evaluate and manage AML.ResultsIt is established that risk of AML rupture is associated with lesion size. However, genetic abnormality, aneurysm formation, and pregnancy are also risk factors for tumor rupture. Thus, the prediction of AML rupture should be based on a more comprehensive risk assessment system. The management of renal AML and tumor rupture was also discussed in the present paper.ConclusionThe risk of AML rupture is associated with but not exclusive to lesion size. Any decision to intervene AML must be based on multiple factors including risk, symptoms, and auxiliary findings.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 29668633 · DOI · PMC5916643
Treatment of renal angiomyolipoma: pooled analysis of individual patient data [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundThis study was performed to evaluate the impact of baseline characteristics and treatment methods on the outcome of sporadic renal angiomyolipoma (AML).
- Closing excerpt
- Further studies are needed to define risk factors for bleeding and assess the relative benefits of different treatment modalities.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (155 words)
BackgroundThis study was performed to evaluate the impact of baseline characteristics and treatment methods on the outcome of sporadic renal angiomyolipoma (AML).MethodsThis was a pooled analysis of individual data of 441 patients with AML retrieved from 58 studies and 3 institutional series.ResultsNinety-three patients underwent nephrectomy, 163 partial nephrectomy/enucleation, 128 embolisation, 19 cryoablation, 6 radiofrequency ablation, and 32 conservative treatment. Their mean follow-up period was 44.5 months. Patients who experienced major bleeding at presentation had significantly larger tumours than did those without bleeding (mean diameter, 10.1 vs. 5.9 cm, respectively; p ConclusionsThe prevalence of major bleeding is high in sporadic AMLs with a diameter of >6 cm. These results suggest that conservative treatment can be considered in AMLs of <6 cm in diameter. Among current treatment methods, embolisation was associated with a significantly higher risk of re-intervention. Further studies are needed to define risk factors for bleeding and assess the relative benefits of different treatment modalities.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26710923 · DOI · PMC4693425
Embolic Agent Selection and Outcomes in Renal Angiomyolipoma Embolisation [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeTo evaluate whether embolic agent selection influences outcomes following selective arterial embolisation (SAE) of renal angiomyolipomas (r-AMLs) and to assess procedural safety and effects on renal function.
- Closing excerpt
- Liquid embolic agents achieved the greatest tumour reduction with low re-intervention rates, while coil-only embolisation showed inferior outcomes and should be avoided where possible.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (168 words)
PurposeTo evaluate whether embolic agent selection influences outcomes following selective arterial embolisation (SAE) of renal angiomyolipomas (r-AMLs) and to assess procedural safety and effects on renal function.Materials and methodsA retrospective observational study was performed of all r-AML SAEs undertaken at a tertiary institution between 2015 and 2024. Change in tumour size on pre- and 3-6-month post-procedural imaging was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included technical success, re-intervention rates, complications (Clavien-Dindo), renal function change and length of hospital stay. Outcomes were compared across embolic agents including microparticles, liquid embolic agents, coils and combined approaches.ResultsForty-nine patients (51 lesions) underwent angiography, with SAE attempted in 54 procedures. Technical success was achieved in 91%. Tumour size reduction occurred in 91% of lesions with follow-up imaging, with a mean reduction of 1.75 cm (p ConclusionSAE is a safe and effective treatment for r-AML in both elective and emergency settings. Liquid embolic agents achieved the greatest tumour reduction with low re-intervention rates, while coil-only embolisation showed inferior outcomes and should be avoided where possible.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42017603 · DOI · PMC13471962
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article PEComas: the past, the present and the future [5]
- Research article Contemporary diagnosis and management of renal angiomyolipoma [6]
- Research article PEComa: what do we know so far? [7]
- Research article Update on the Diagnosis and Management of Renal Angiomyolipoma [8]
- Research article Renal angiomyolipomata [9]
- Research article Angiomyolipoma of kidney [10]
References
- Jinzaki M, Silverman SG, Akita H, Nagashima Y, Mikami S, Oya M. Renal angiomyolipoma: a radiological classification and update on recent developments in diagnosis and management. . 2014. PMID 24504542 · DOI · PMC4040184
- Wang C, Li X, Peng L, Gou X, Fan J. An update on recent developments in rupture of renal angiomyolipoma. . 2018. PMID 29668633 · DOI · PMC5916643
- Kuusk T, Biancari F, Lane B, Tobert C, Campbell S, Rimon U, et al.. Treatment of renal angiomyolipoma: pooled analysis of individual patient data. . 2015. PMID 26710923 · DOI · PMC4693425
- O'Shea R, Pendse H, Ho K, Hasan H, Wal RV, Wyk MV, et al.. Embolic Agent Selection and Outcomes in Renal Angiomyolipoma Embolisation. . 2026. PMID 42017603 · DOI · PMC13471962
- Martignoni G, Pea M, Reghellin D, Zamboni G, Bonetti F. PEComas: the past, the present and the future. Virchows Arch. 2008. PMID 18080139 · DOI · PMC2234444
- Nelson CP, Sanda MG. Contemporary diagnosis and management of renal angiomyolipoma. J Urol. 2002. PMID 12352384 · DOI
- Hornick JL, Fletcher CD. PEComa: what do we know so far?. Histopathology. 2006. PMID 16359539 · DOI
- Flum AS, Hamoui N, Said MA, Yang XJ, Casalino DD, McGuire BB, et al.. Update on the Diagnosis and Management of Renal Angiomyolipoma. J Urol. 2016. PMID 26612197 · DOI
- Bissler JJ, Kingswood JC. Renal angiomyolipomata. Kidney Int. 2004. PMID 15327383 · DOI
- Eble JN. Angiomyolipoma of kidney. Semin Diagn Pathol. 1998. PMID 9503504
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.