In aprox 2001, I read an article on Lymphangioma Simplex. It stated
that the two common causes of this condition were hormonal and
post-operative. I was new at the internet, and did not record this
article and it's location. In reading further information, I have not
since seen any information which indicates that the hormonal factor
can be a cause, (even if less common). The Author also indicated that
the contraceptive pill specifically can cause (or be related)to this
condition. It is crucial that I find any information which can
indicate a hormonal factor in the onset of this disease. This article
did exist, and I am certain of the wording. Can you please find this
information for me, indicating hormonal causes, or even more
specifically the contraceptive pill? Thankyou.

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Request for Question Clarification by crabcakes-ga on 01 Sep 2005 22:24 PDT

So far I have found nothing relating lymphangioma simplex to oral
contraceptives. By hormones, which do you mean? Estrogen?

This well written and explanatory page mentions the physiopathogenesis
 of lymphangiomas, and makes no mention of oral contraceptives.

ETIOPATHOGENESIS

"Although the physiopathogenesis is not well understood, it is now
considered that the hemangiomas are the result of an imbalance in the
angiogenesis that allows an uncontrolled proliferation of vascular
elements.1,8,27,28 During the proliferative phase of the tumor,
several markers of angiogenesis are increased, such as the basic
fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelium growth factor
(VEGF), metalloproteinase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA),
collagenase type IV, urokinase, proteases and E-selectin. These
factors decrease when there is involution of the tumor, except for
bFGF that remains high in the beginning of the regression, but
eventually reaches normal levels when the hemangioma completes its
involution. The urinary level of bFGF can be used as a parameter for
the effectiveness of the treatment of hemangiomas. Factors bFGF and
VEGF have an important role in the differentiation of the endothelial
cells in the phase of rapid proliferation of the tumor. These
differentiated endothelial cells, in turn, besides attracting a great
number of mastocytes, express the tissular inhibitor of
metalloproteinase type 1 (TIMP-1), a potent blocker of the formation
of new blood vessels. It has been speculated that mastocytes
possibility secrete substances such as interferon, that reduce the
angiogenesis and also promote the involution. Other markers of the
involution phase of hemangiomas are angiostatin, endostatin, platelet
factor 4, interleukin-12, interferon-a and glycocorticoid.8,29-33

An anomaly in the fetal development in the first three months of
pregnancy or a genetic alteration are just two of the theories
proposed to explain this imbalance in the angiogenesis.27,28

The hypothesis of a genetic alteration is based on the existence of
affected siblings and in reports of a higher incidence of hemangiomas
in certain family groups. The possibility of an autosomal dominant
inheritance is speculated in the transmission of these tumors."
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0365-05962003000600002&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en

I plan to keep searching, but would you accept a researched answer
that concluded there is no correlation between L.S. and hormones or
oral contraceptives? I have found some correlation with thyroid
hormones... could this be the hormone to which you refer?

Regards, Crabcakes

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Clarification of Question by porki-ga on 02 Sep 2005 03:07 PDT

O.k. I'll try to clarify a little further for you. Fingers crossed??
When reading a sight (address emedicine.com/derm/topic848.htm) on
aquired progressive Lymphangioma, it states that the condition is
"apparent during adolescence or young adult life, the development is
triggered by hormonal change". Although information within this
article mentions hormonal change as a significant factor or trigger, I
do not know of the physiological specifics involved in this hormonal
change and how it interplays with the condition.
I am hoping it may be possible to find that hormonal change is a
significant factor (in a similar manner, or aetiology) within another
strain of Lymphangioma (hopefully Aquired Lymphangioma or Lymhangioma
Circumscriptum). This is where I need your help, please.

The article I was refering to and sighted in 2001 described the
"causes" of Lymphangioma to be as I mentioned previously (hormonal
change or postoperative).I cannot recall if the article was describing
Lymphangioma in general, or Lymphangioma Simplex?  The literature
named specifically the contraceptive pill as cause. Perhaps reference
to the contraceptive pill has been since withdrawn (maybe for legal
reasons, for example) and reference also has since only been made to
hormonal changes, which can occur due to the contraceptive pill of
course.Just a theory? If this information can be located again, this
is my first and foremost objective.

If all avenues have been exhausted, and the mention of the
contraceptive pill cannot be relocated, then I need to at least find
if hormonal change is mentioned in the aetiology of other strains? My
second objective would then be to locate information which mentions
involvement of hormonal change in the aetiology of Acquired
Lymphangioma or Lymphangioma Circumscriptum (there is no specific
histological criteria that exists with which to differentiate between
the two, but both conditions will need to be looked into seperately).
If again this is not achieved, then my third objective needs to be the
location of information which states any other strain has this factor
of hormonal change, or (Lymphangioma in general) within its aetiology.

To clarify my question, can you please address all objectives I have
mentioned in their order, and locate any relevant information to these
objectives ? I am sorry this is such a broad question, but this is a
broad subject in general. Thankyou for your endeavours.