Angiosarcoma of skin and soft tissue: a study of forty-four cases

Angiosarcoma: state of the art and perspectives

We propose a literature review of available data on angiosarcoma (AS). AS account for 1% of adult soft tissue sarcoma. Two risk factors are well-establish chronic lymhoedema, previous radiotherapy. Clinical presentations of AS are heterogeneous. Large resection followed, if possible, by adjuvant radiotherapy is the cornerstone of curative intent treatment of localized forms. There are no convincing data supporting the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy. For metastatic or locally advanced AS, doxorubicin and weekly paclitaxel seem to provide the longer progression-free survival. Three phase II or parts of phase II trials have been published in the last 2 years, investigating weekly paclitaxel, sorafenib and imatinib, demonstrating that clinical trials are feasible for such rare diseases. Biological evidences for the key role of angiogentic factors have been accumulated during the last years and support the further investigation of anti-angiogenetic agents alone and almost combination with chemotherapy in such disease.

Outcomes after definitive treatment for cutaneous angiosarcoma of the face and scalp

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present analysis was to retrospectively evaluate outcomes in patients with cutaneous angiosarcoma of the face/scalp treated curatively with surgery, radiation therapy (RT), or a combination of surgery and RT.

METHODS

In all, 70 patients with nonmetastatic angiosarcoma underwent surgery, RT, or combined-modality therapy. Of these, 20 patients (29%) were treated with surgery alone, 27 patients (39%) with RT alone, and 23 patients (33%) with combined-modality therapy; 44 patients received chemotherapy, either neoadjuvantly or adjuvantly or both.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 2.1 years. The overall survival (OS) rate was 43% at 5 years, and disease-specific survival (DSS) was 46% at 5 years. Tumor size > 5 cm and satellitosis were prognostic for inferior OS and DSS. Combined-modality therapy (vs surgery alone or RT alone) was associated with improved OS, DSS, and local control.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary local therapy with combined-modality therapy was associated with improved local control, OS, and DSS for patients with angiosarcoma of the face/scalp.

Primary vascular tumors of the lungs: a review

Unlike their counterparts in other organ systems, primary vascular neoplasms of the lung are rare. Most of these lesions have only been reported as isolated case studies or small series. When dealing with malignant lesions, metastasis from extrapulmonary sites will have to be excluded before a primary location in the lungs can be confirmed. In this review, the clinicopathologic, immunophenotypical, ultrastructural, and molecular biologic characteristics of primary vascular tumors of the lungs are discussed. The tumoral conditions that will be addressed include hemangioma, lymphangioma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, angiosarcoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Their respective differential diagnoses will also be discussed.

Metastatic angiosarcoma: a vascular tumour or an intracranial haemorrhage?

A 64-year-old man presented with weakness of his right arm and leg. He had previously had mitral valve replacement, tricuspid annuloplasty, leg deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and femoral embolism. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain showed an acute left thalamic haemorrhage. Repeat CT brain showed resolution of the original haemorrhage, but the apparent development of new areas of haemorrhage. Warfarin continued due to high risk of thromboembolism. He was readmitted with the rapid development of a visible swelling at the sternum and on the scalp. Ultrasound scan of the sternum revealed a vascular tumour. Suspected haemorrhages in the past were reported as the metastatic deposits. Biopsy and immunohistochemical staining confirmed angiosarcoma of the scalp. Being vascular tumours, angiosarcoma can mimic a brain haemorrhage. Our case illustrates a clinical conundrum. Diagnosing metastatic angiosarcoma of the brain proved difficult without visible primary and histology. The rapid clinical course of the disease and problems with anticoagulation therapy made treatment options limited and the prognosis worse.

Mesenchymal Tumors of the Female Genital Tract: Treatment

Mesenchymal tumors of the female genital tract include various benign and malignant neoplasms. Mesenchymal tumors may arise from the stroma or associated elements of the organ of origin, such as connective tissue, vascular or neural structures, or others. Malignant mesenchymal tumors of the female genital tract represent a rare group of gynecologic cancers. They are generally aggressive tumors, with a propensity for local and distant recurrence. The mainstay of treatment usually involves surgical excision of the primary tumor. Malignant mesenchymal tumors of the female genital tract are generally refractory to systemic chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This review highlights the treatment options for the most common types of mesenchymal tumors of the female genital tract.

Widespread cutaneous angiosarcoma of the scalp: diagnosis and soft tissue reconstruction with a combined double-muscle-free flap and split-thickness-skin graft

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare vascular tumor, which is usually located in the head and neck region. Because of the unspecific appearance, diagnoses are only secured after a histological examination of a tissue sample.

CASE REPORT

After three punch biopsies, a 67-year-old patient, who had been healthy so far, was diagnosed with a cutaneous multilocated angiosarcoma of the scalp. Computed tomography of the head, neck, thorax, and abdomen was done for staging. It was without pathological findings. The tumor removal caused a scalp defect with a size of 30 x 30 cm. The cover of the defect was made by a combined microsurgical muscle flap with parts of the musculus latissimus dorsi and musculus serratus anterior. This flap was covered with split-thickness-skin in a second step. Eight weeks postoperative, the radiotherapy has started.

CONCLUSION

This kind of treatment can be recommended because the early reconstruction allowed a soon adjuvant radiotherapy, and the patient regained a good quality of life due to the pleasant and aesthetically result.

Angiosarcoma of the breast: a clinicopathologic analysis of cases from the last 10 years

Breast angiosarcoma may occur de novo, or as a complication of radiation therapy, or chronic lymphedema secondary to axillary lymph node dissection for mammary carcinoma. In our effort to characterize the clinicopathologic features of breast angiosarcoma, we reviewed all breast angiosarcoma cases in the University of Kansas Medical Center and Ohio State University Medical Center archives from 1997 to 2007. Clinical histories and follow-up data for identified patients were reviewed. The tumors were graded histologically according to Rosen's method. Only 11 angiosarcomas were identified among more than 5000 malignant breast neoplasms (0.1%-0.2% incidence) for the last 10 years. Eight cases (6 high grade, 1 intermediate grade, 1 low grade) were identified as postradiation angiosarcoma (postradiation time interval, 4-12 years), and 3 cases were identified as primary angiosarcomas (1 high grade, 2 low grade). Follow-up (median, 36 months) revealed that 3 cases of postradiation angiosarcoma recurred as skin and/or chest wall lesions and 1 case of primary angiosarcoma developed liver metastases (all high-grade). In conclusion, breast angiosarcoma remains a rare disease. Rosen's method for grading breast angiosarcoma is easy to implement and correlates well with clinical outcome. There are no distinct clinical or histologic differences between primary and postradiation breast angiosarcomas.

Angiosarcoma of the nasal cavity: a case report

Angiosarcomas are malignant neoplasias of rapid growth that develop from endothelial cells. They represent 2% of all sarcomas and only 1–4% are located in the aerodigestive tract. Since 1977, only 16 cases have been reported.

We present a 33-year-old male with spontaneous epistaxis that was refractory to cauterization. During physical examination, a smooth purplish tumor of 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm was identified. A CT scan showed a nonenhanced tumor in the left nostril on the uncinate process. A biopsy revealed an intermediate-grade angiosarcoma. Surgical removal followed by radiation therapy was performed with good result. Aerodigestive angiosarcomas have a better prognosis than angiosarcomas of other locations due to better cell differentiation and the presence of early symptoms. Recurrence can occur because of tumor tissue left during resection. Our patient continues tumor free after three years.

Oral primary angiosarcoma of the lower lip mucosa: report of a case in a 15-year-old boy

BACKGROUND

Angiosarcomas are rare soft tissue malignant tumors with dismal prognosis. Head and neck involvement is uncommon (5%) and usually affects the scalp or facial skin.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We present the case of an inferior lip mucosal low-grade angiosarcoma in a 15-year-old boy treated exclusively with surgery. One and a half years after treatment, the patient was free of signs of recurrence. Prompt and accurate diagnosis with adequate imaging modalities and multidisciplinary treatment are crucial for optimal management of these neoplasms.

CONCLUSION

Lip mucosal involvement is exceptional with only a few cases described in the literature, all in patients older than 60 years To our knowledge, this is the youngest patient ever reported.

Primary mesenteric angiosarcoma in a child with associated lymphangiectasia: a case report

Angiosarcomas are rare tumors in children, usually occurring in soft tissue and liver. By contrast, angiosarcoma in adults usually occurs in the extremities in conjunction with lymphedema. Mesenteric angiosarcoma has only rarely been reported. When angiosarcomas arise in this location, they usually represent a 2nd malignancy following Hodgkin's lymphoma. We report a child who presented to the emergency room with an acute abdomen and underwent emergency surgery for a mesenteric angiosarcoma with associated lymphangiectasia of the bowel and mesentery. A brief review of the literature and the nomenclature of these unusual tumors are discussed.

Angiosarcoma in an area of lipodermatosclerosis

We present an unusual case in a post phlebitic lower limb that had previously developed an area of lipodermatosclerosis. An area within this broke down as a result of an angiosarcoma rather than the more probable: formation of a venous ulcer.

Rapidly progressive metastatic multicentric epithelioid angiosarcoma of the small bowel: a case report and a review of literature

BACKGROUND

Angiosarcoma is a rare high-grade neoplasm that frequently involves the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Rarely, angiosarcoma can occur in the gastrointestinal tract where it frequently exhibits multicentric epithelioid morphology.

DESIGN

We report a case of multicentric epithelioid angiosarcoma (EAS) of the small intestine in a 73-year-old male patient who presented with weakness and melena, and was found to have bleeding lesions in the small intestine on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. In addition to this case, we extensively reviewed the clinical and pathological features of previously reported cases of angiosarcoma of the small intestine in the English literature since 1970.

RESULTS

Our patient presented with rare and aggressive EAS of the small intestine. Despite surgical resection of the lesions, the patient continued to worsen and developed rapidly progressive metastatic disease. He died within 4 months of the diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiosarcoma, especially of the deep tissues and the gastrointestinal tract, is very aggressive and rapidly metastatic. The survival rate in these patients is extremely poor, and most patients die within 6 months to 1 year of the diagnosis. Treatment usually involves surgical resection of the bleeding lesions and frequent blood transfusions for symptom alleviation.

Metastatic angiosarcoma in an ileal conduit: an unusual presentation

The authors in this study describe the case of a patient with a history of multiple malignancies who underwent total cystectomy with ileal loop urinary diversion and presented with a lower extremity angiosarcoma on the background of lymphedema a decade later. Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with metastatic ileal conduit angiosarcoma. The authors state that to their knowledge, this is the first case of ileal conduit angiosarcoma reported in the English literature.

Detection and characterization of vascular endothelial growth factors and their receptors in a series of angiosarcomas

BACKGROUND

Angiosarcomas are malignant mesenchymal neoplasms, including sarcomas of presumptive vascular endothelial origin and sarcomas of probable lymphatic origin. It is, however, often difficult to determine whether they are from blood vascular or lymphatic endothelium. The majority of angiosarcomas are thought to originate from vascular endothelia and spread via bloodstream to lung, but lymphatic metastases can occur.

METHODS

We investigated immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF-A, VEGF-C) and their receptors (VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3) in a series of 34 angiosarcomas.

RESULTS

VEGF-A was expressed by 32/34 (94%), VEGF-C by 4/34 (12%), VEGFR-1 by 32/34 (94%), VEGFR-2 by 22/34 (65%), and VEGFR-3 by 27/34 (79%). Patients who expressed low or no VEGFR-2 showed a significantly unfavorable prognosis by log-rank test (P = 0.010) and multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 5.16; 95% CI, 1.40-19.04; P = 0.014). VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-3 were not significantly associated with patients' prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

VEGF-A and VEGFR-1 were detected in diverse subtypes of angiosarcomas. In cooperation, VEGF-A and VEGF-C are likely to be involved in the development of angiosarcoma associated with lymphedema. VEGF-C expression may cause susceptibility to lymphatic metastasis through tumor lymphangiogenesis. Angiosarcoma of the scalp, which is traditionally considered as a true hemangiosarcoma, may include some cases of lymphatic origin.

Angiosarcoma of the eyelid and periorbital region. Experience in Leiden with iridium192 brachytherapy and low-dose doxorubicin chemotherapy

AIM

To report on the use of iridium(192) brachytherapy and doxorubicin chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy in 6 patients with angiosarcoma of the eyelid and periorbital region.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Tumor localization and diameter, signs of inflammation, histology and treatment are discussed in this retrospective study of 6 patients (age 46-87 yrs.) presenting with primary angiosarcoma in the eyelid.

RESULTS

Six patients (4 elderly) with angiosarcoma localized in one or more eyelids, the face or multilocular were seen between 1987 and 2000. In one patient, a small nodular tumor did not recur within 4 years after radical excision. In another patient, the tumor was treated with surgery and iridium(192) wire brachytherapy and did not recur in 17 years of follow-up. In four patients with large diffuse tumors that were treated with doxorubicin, partial regression was achieved. The follow-up was >3 years (median 5 years).

CONCLUSION

If radical surgery for angiosarcoma of the eyelid and periorbital region is not possible, adjuvant iridium(192) wire brachytherapy may prove beneficial. For widespread, diffusely growing tumors, and in elderly patients, low-dose (slowly, 20 mg i.v.) doxorubicin can be used weekly as adjuvant therapy, resulting in partial regression and longer survival rates than previously published by other authors.

Angiosarcomas, a heterogeneous group of sarcomas with specific behavior depending on primary site: a retrospective study of 161 cases

BACKGROUND

Angiosarcomas are rare, heterogeneous and a retrospective study was conducted to describe their natural history.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed 161 files of angiosarcoma treated in three institutions of the French Sarcoma Group from 1980 to 2004. Survival and prognostic factors for survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Median age was 52 years. Primary sites were the breast (35%), skin (20%) and soft tissues (13%). At initial diagnosis, 31 (19%) had metastases. Surgery was the first treatment in 121 (75%) patients combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in 34 and 32, respectively. Ninety (74%) of these 121 patients relapsed, mostly locally (50). With an average time since initial diagnosis of 8.1 years, 123 (76%) patients progressed and 76 (47%) died. Median survival was 3.4 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.4-5.8], and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 43% (95% CI 33-53). In multivariate analysis, liver primary site [relative risk (RR) = 12.62], performance status (PS) of two or more (RR = 3.83), presence of metastases at diagnosis (RR = 2.50), soft tissue tumor (RR = 0.31) were correlated to OS. PS, liver and soft tissue tumors were identified as independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiosarcomas have an overall poor outcome, but with a clearly distinct prognosis depending on the primary site.

Sinonasal tract angiosarcoma: a clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic study of 10 cases with a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Primary sinonasal tract angiosarcoma are rare tumors that are frequently misclassified, resulting in inappropriate clinical management. There are only a few reported cases in the English literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten patients with sinonasal tract angiosarcoma were retrospectively retrieved from the Otorhinolaryngic Registry of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

RESULTS

Six males and four females, aged 13 to 81 years (mean, 46.7 years), presented with epistaxis and bloody discharge. Females were on average younger than their male counterparts (37.8 vs. 52.7 years, respectively). The tumors involved the nasal cavity alone (n = 8) or the maxillary sinus (n = 2), with a mean size of 4.3 cm; the average size was different between the genders: males: 2.8 cm; females: 6.4 cm. Histologically, all tumors had anastomosing vascular channels lined by remarkably atypical endothelial cells protruding into the lumen, neolumen formation, frequent atypical mitotic figures, necrosis, and hemorrhage. All cases tested (n = 6) demonstrated immunoreactivity with antibodies to Factor VIII-RA, CD34, CD31, and smooth muscle actin, while non-reactive with keratin and S-100 protein. The principle differential diagnosis includes granulation tissue, lobular capillary hemangioma (pyogenic granuloma), and Kaposi's sarcoma. All patients had surgery followed by post-operative radiation (n = 4 patients). Follow-up was available in all patients: Six patients died with disease (mean, 28.8 months); two patients had died without evidence of disease (mean, 267 months); and two are alive with no evidence of disease at last follow-up (mean, 254 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Sinonasal tract angiosarcoma is a rare tumor, frequently presenting in middle-aged patients as a large mass usually involving the nasal cavity with characteristic histomorphologic and immunophenotypic features. Sinonasal tract angiosarcoma will often have a poor prognosis making appropriate separation from other conditions important.

Pseudolymphomatous Cutaneous Angiosarcoma: A Rare Variant of Cutaneous Angiosarcoma Readily Mistaken for Cutaneous Lymphoma

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is probably the most malignant neoplasm involving the skin. Three clinical variants of cutaneous angiosarcoma are recognized, including angiosarcoma of the scalp and face of elderly patients, angiosarcoma associated with chronic lymphedema, and postirradiation angiosarcoma. Histopathologically, these three variants of angiosarcoma show similar features, which consist of poorly circumscribed, irregularly dilated, and anastomosing vascular channels lined by prominent endothelial cells that dissect through the dermis. Focally, neoplastic endothelial cells show large, hyperchromatic, and pleomorphic nuclei, protruding within vascular lumina and creating small papillations. Usually, inflammatory infiltrate is sparse and consists of a patchy, perivascular lymphoid infiltrate around the neoformed vessels. In rare instances, cutaneous angiosarcomas may exhibit prominent inflammatory infiltrate, and the neoplasm may be mistaken for an inflammatory process, both from clinical and histopathologic points of view. We describe four examples of cutaneous angiosarcomas with dense lymphocytic infiltrates involving the neoplasm. Immunohistochemically, lymphocytes expressed immunoreactivity for CD3, CD5, and CD45 markers, whereas the germinal centers were positive for CD20, CD79a, and Bcl-6. The neoplastic endothelial cells expressed immunoreactivity for the CD31, CD34, podoplanin, Prox-1, Lyve-1, and D2-40. We discuss the possible relationship between neoplastic endothelial lymphatic cells and reactive lymphocytes. Cutaneous angiosarcoma with prominent lymphocytic infiltrate may be readily mistaken for cutaneous follicle center cell lymphoma or cutaneous pseudolymphoma.

Epithelioid angiosarcoma of the small bowel

BACKGROUND

Angiosarcoma is a rare soft-tissue neoplasm that occurs most often in the skin and the subcutaneous tissues but very rarely in the GI tract.

DESIGN

We report a case of multifocal epithelioid angiosarcoma involving skin and bowel and review the 18 previously reported cases of epithelioid intestinal angiosarcoma.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Our patient presented with weakness from anemia. Two small blue-black nodules were present on the skin. Fecal occult blood tests were positive, but gastroscopy and colonoscopy showed normal results. Enteroscopy revealed small ulcerated nodules in the distal duodenum and the proximal jejunum. Biopsy specimens of skin and duodenal nodules showed epithelioid angiosarcoma.

RESULTS

The intestinal nodules were treated with argon plasma coagulation, but the patient died 6 weeks after diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The survival rate of intestinal angiosarcoma is poor, and most cases progress rapidly, with a 2-month median survival after diagnosis. Because of the infiltrative and the multifocal nature of this malignancy, complete surgical excision is often not possible. Further studies are needed to establish the role of adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy in the treatment of angiosarcoma.

Cutaneous Angiosarcoma of the Head and Neck: A Case Presentation and Review of the Literature

Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the head and neck is a rare vascular neoplasm. When it does occur, it is most common in elderly white men. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for local control of this aggressive tumor, but recognition can be delayed because of its rarity or because of difficulty in making a pathologic diagnosis. A combined-modality treatment approach is most often advocated. We report the case of a 77-year-old black man who presented with a 1-month history of two painless, violaceous, sub-centimeter nodules of the upper lip. After a diagnosis of low-grade angiosarcoma was definitively established, the lesions were locally excised with good cosmetic and functional results. The patient subsequently was found to have probable metastatic disease, but he declined further intervention. We review the literature on cutaneous angiosarcoma, and we discuss its epidemiology, presentation, tissue diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in an effort to increase awareness of this rare malignancy.

F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT as an Imaging Tool for Staging and Restaging Cutaneous Angiosarcoma of the Scalp

Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the scalp is a rare highly aggressive malignant tumor that typically afflicts elderly patients and commonly presents with extensive local spread and distant metastasis. Distant metastases favor lung, liver, lymph nodes, and skin. Overall, the prognosis is poor. It differs from other soft tissue sarcomas in that the size of the lesion at presentation instead of tumor grade is the important prognostic factor. Optimal treatment is yet to be determined. Wide-margin complete excision with postoperative radiotherapy has been the most effective therapy. Chemotherapy and gene therapy have been used with some success. Local extent is critical in surgical planning, especially in the head and face, and is difficult to determine accurately with clinical examination and morphologic imaging tools. We report the case of a 70-year-old man diagnosed with multifocal angiosarcoma of the scalp. PET/CT imaging with F-18 2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) not only showed avid FDG uptake by an angiosarcoma (SUVmax = 10.7), but also simultaneously showed local extension of multifocal lesions with periosteal involvement and excluded metastatic abdominal nodal disease. PET/CT imaging after chemotherapy and before radiation therapy showed complete resolution of FDG uptake in the scalp and osseous lesions. Evaluation of more cases of this subset of soft tissue sarcoma with FDG PET/CT may suggest a possible role in not only staging angiosarcomas to determine the extent of local as well as distant disease, but also to potentially help determine response to therapy and early recognition of local or distant recurrence.

Sacral epithelioid angiosarcoma associated with a bleeding diathesis and spinal epidural hematoma: case report

Epithelioid angiosarcoma of bone is a rare, high-grade lesion that is highly vascular and can be associated with a bleeding diathesis. An association has been reported in angiosarcomas in other locations with coagulopathy from tumor-related disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and fibrinolysis. The authors report the case of a rare occurrence of a primary sacral epithelioid angiosarcoma associated with a large epidural hematoma and a severe bleeding diathesis. A 25-year-old woman presented with weakness, fatigue, neck and low-back pain, and progressive left S-1 radiculopathy. Imaging studies revealed a large ventral epidural hematoma extending from the sacral region rostrally to C-2 and a vascular tumor located in the sacrum. The patient underwent a sacral laminectomy, complicated by postoperative bleeding from the wound, and required massive transfusions. Ultimately, multimodal therapy was required to obtain hemostasis, including the use of endovascular embolization, radiation therapy, and an infusion of epsilon-aminocaproic acid with heparin. This case represents the first report of a primary epithelioid angiosarcoma in the sacrum and emphasizes that the coagulopathy seen in angiosarcoma is also a feature of this epithelioid variant.

Postradiation vascular proliferations: an increasing problem

The occurrence of cutaneous vascular lesions is a rare but well-documented complication of radiation treatment and may be associated with significant morbidity as well as mortality. The overall incidence is low but appears to be rising due to a change in the prevailing treatment of breast carcinoma with increased use of radiation in the setting of breast-conserving therapy for stage 1 and 2 disease. The spectrum of postradiation vascular lesions is wide and ranges from atypical vascular lesions with reportedly benign clinical behaviour to frank cutaneous angiosarcoma. There is, however, significant clinical as well as histological overlap. It is frequently difficult to classify these postradiation vascular lesions accurately and they create an emerging diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to both pathologists and clinicians. Experience with these vascular lesions is very limited, and this article aims to provide an overview of our current understanding and concept of radiation-associated vascular lesions with focus on their clinical and histological presentation as well as behaviour and treatment.

A case of postirradiation vaginal angiosarcoma treated with recombinant interleukin-2 therapy

Angiosarcoma of the vagina is an extremely rare neoplasm and is characterized by frequent recurrence and early metastatic spread. Although previous reports emphasized the poor prognosis of this disease, effective treatment strategies have not been adequately stated. We report a case of angiosarcoma of the vagina, in which the diagnosis was made 9 years after intrapelvic irradiation, and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) therapy could be effective to suppress the development of distant metastasis. We recommend rIL-2 therapy in combination with irradiation as a palliative therapeutic option for vaginal angiosarcoma when the tumor is inoperable or the patient refuses to undergo surgery. Although vaginal angiosarcoma is an extremely rare condition, its possibility should be borne in mind when finding a vaginal mass in a previously irradiated patient.

[Angiosarcoma in an irradiated breast: a case description]

Post-radiotherapy cutaneous angiosarcomas have been described in different locations, including the breast. We present a case of cutaneous angiosarcoma of the breast, diagnosed 6 years after a carcinoma of the breast had been treated with radiation. The patient was a 44-year-old female with a history of ductal carcinoma (CA) of the right breast treated with tumorectomy, axillary lymphadenectomy, chemotherapy (FEC) and radiotherapy, who 6 years later presented with a violaceous, indurated plaque with a satellite nodule on the same breast. The histology of the skin biopsies showed angiomatous proliferation throughout the entire dermis, with no cellular atypia. Considering the patient's symptoms, history and the changes observed via mammography, it was decided to completely excise the lesion followed by a simple mastectomy, with the diagnosis of angiosarcoma being confirmed. The patient was later treated with paclitaxel, and the disease was apparently controlled. Despite this fact, two years and one month later, the angiosarcoma recurred on the internal area of the mastectomy scar. The patient was treated with paclitaxel, and surgical excision of the lesion area was once again performed. This complication usually appears 5-10 years after treatment with radiotherapy, so angiosarcoma should be ruled out if any angiomatous lesions later appear on skin that had been irradiated.

Ruptured angiosarcoma of the liver treated by emergency catheter-directed embolization

Angiosarcoma is a rare primary malignant neoplasm of the liver with a poor prognosis. Here, we report a case of a patient with a ruptured hepatic angiosarcoma which was treated by emergency catheter-directed embolization, followed by left-sided hemihepatectomy.