What Are the Signs and Symptoms of LAM?

The signs and symptoms of LAM are caused by the uncontrolled growth of the LAM cells.

The most common signs and symptoms are:

• Shortness of breath, especially following exertion. At first, you may feel short of breath only during strenuous activity. Over time, you may have trouble breathing even during rest.
• Chest pain, usually caused by a collapsed lung.
• Frequent cough, sometimes with bloody phlegm.

LAM also can lead to other serious conditions:

• About 6 of every 7 women with LAM develop a collapsed lung (pneumothorax (noo-mo-THOR-aks)) at some point. Sometimes one lung will collapse over and over again. Both lungs can collapse too. This is a serious condition that can be life threatening. A lung that is only partly collapsed may slowly re-expand without treatment, but treatment is often required.
• In 1 out of every 3 women with LAM, a fluid called lymph leaks into the chest cavity and builds up.
• Nearly half of the women with LAM develop growths called angiomyolipomas in their kidneys.

Many women with LAM also have:

• Blood or lymph in their sputum
• Blood in their urine
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Abdominal swelling

Other diseases can cause many of these signs and symptoms and complications, so it is important that you see a doctor.