Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation

Also known as: CCAM.

What is congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation?

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation is one or more benign (non-cancerous) lumps (masses) or cysts of abnormal lung tissue usually found in one part of a lung that is present at birth. They can range from small to very large in size when they then may cause significant complications during fetal intrauterine life (10%).

What causes congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation?

The cause is an overgrowth of abnormal lung tissue that forms masses or cysts (or a combination), the reason this occurs is unknown.

What are the symptoms of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation?

Most infants with CCAMS are diagnosed by prenatal maternal ultrasound, and many do not require any intervention. If however the mother's abdomen measures larger than it should for her due date (because the baby's cysts have interfered with the baby’s blood circulation resulting in too much fluid around it) fetal surgery may be required.

After birth, depending on its size CCAM’s may cause significant difficulty with breathing, and later on may become infected and cause pneumonia.

What are congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation care options?

Fetuses that have a congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation that is causing problems may require treatment before birth. This may involve draining the cyst or shunting fluid away from the cyst. After birth most babies with CAMS will require surgery at some opportune time (frequently around 3 to 6 months of age).


Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: September 09, 2019 03:24 PM