Lymphangiosarcoma arising in chronic congenital and idiopathic lymphoedema

Lymphangiosarcoma: Is Stewart-Treves Syndrome a Preventable Condition?

BACKGROUND

Stewart-Treves syndrome is a rare complication of breast cancer treatment, representing a lymphangiosarcoma commonly associated with lymphedema and severely impacting patient's outcome. The tumor typically develops in the atrophic, pachydermatous, hyperkeratotic skin of limbs affected by long-standing lymphedema. Clinical data associated with Stewart-Treves syndrome and lymphedema management have rarely been published.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the period between 1980 and 2009, ten patients with Stewart-Treves syndrome were diagnosed and treated at the Foeldiklinik, Hinterzarten, Germany. Nine of the ten patients were female. Five patients had previously suffered from breast cancer (and were treated with mastectomy); two from other malignancies; two patients had primary lymphedema, and one had undergone lower extremity lymphadenectomy. All cancer patients had undergone radiation treatment. In all cases, the sarcoma developed in non-irradiated areas 6-48 years (average 16.3 years) after the onset of lymphedema. None of the patients had received complex decongestive physical therapy (CDT). Two patients had above-elbow amputation, one had shoulder exarticulation, two patients had wide excision and skin grafting, two patients had above-knee amputation procedure, two patients had a below-knee amputation procedure, and one patient had no surgical treatment at all. The time to recurrence after surgery, time to metastasis, patient survival and CDT were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with lymphedema should be closely examined starting 5 years from the time of lymphedema onset, paying special attention to those with associated malignancies. Only early diagnosis and treatment by radical ablative surgery confers a reasonable prognosis with this rare but aggressive disease. A potential effect of CDT on lymphangiosarcoma has to be studied in a greater patient cohort.

Cutaneous epithelioid clear cells angiosarcoma in a young woman with congenital lymphedema

Angiosarcomas are rare aggressive neoplasms that can occur secondary to chronic lymphedema (Stewart-Treves syndrome). Although secondary angiosarcomas are commonly described after-mastectomy and/or after-radiotherapy, few cases have been reported in association with chronic lymphedema of congenital origin. We report the clinical, pathological, and cytogenetic findings in a case of cutaneous epithelioid clear cells angiosarcoma that occurred in a 21-year-old woman with hemibody congenital lymphedema. Surgical biopsies of the tumor mass revealed diffuse epithelioid proliferation of clear atypical cells, for which immunophenotyping highlighted the vascular differentiation. Despite en bloc resection of the tumor, the patient died of metastatic disease three months after diagnosis. This case illustrates the clinical and pathology characteristics of angiosarcoma that is a rare entity secondary to chronic lymphedema. It is the first reported case for which the c-MYC amplification status was assessed. The diagnostic value of this amplification should be further evaluated in this specific context.

Endothelial lesions of soft tissues: a review of reactive and neoplastic entities with emphasis on low-grade malignant ("borderline") vascular tumors

Soft tissue proliferations composed of endothelial cells are a heterogeneous group of lesions that can cause diagnostic difficulty. Further complicating the issue is the constantly changing nomenclature of some entities, as well as reclassification of some vascular tumors from the high-grade malignant category to the low-grade malignant or borderline category. Modern ancillary techniques such as immunohistochemistry and cytogenetics have done little to advance our knowledge of these lesions. This review article outlines the most recent classification of endothelial lesions of the skin and soft tissues, with emphasis on the low-grade malignant (borderline) category. In addition, many tumor-like lesions containing an endothelial component are also discussed.

Cutaneous vascular proliferations. Part III. Malignant neoplasms, other cutaneous neoplasms with significant vascular component, and disorders erroneously considered as vascular neoplasms

In this third and last part of our review of cutaneous vascular proliferations we include malignant vascular neoplasms and a group of heterogeneous cutaneous neoplasms characterized by a significant vascular component. We also review some disorders that, in our opinion, have been erroneously considered as vascular neoplasms. We review the epidemiologic, histogenetic, clinical, and histopathologic aspects of Kaposi's sarcoma in its four distinctive variants (classic, African-endemic, immunosuppressive drug-associated, and AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma). There is still controversy about whether Kaposi's sarcoma represents a reactive vascular proliferation or a true neoplastic proliferation. In any event, most authors believe that Kaposi's sarcoma does not produce metastatic disease, but rather develops in multifocal fashion. However, Kaposi's sarcoma may cause death, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, Dabska's tumor, and retiform hemangioendothelioma are examples of low-grade angiosarcoma. In contrast, cutaneous angiosarcomas, including the clinical variants of angiosarcoma of face and scalp in elderly patients, angiosarcoma associated with lymphedema, and radiation-induced angiosarcoma are highly aggressive neoplasms with poor prognosis and most patients die within a short period after presentation. A group of benign and relatively frequent cutaneous neoplasms, including multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma, angiofibroma, angioleiomyoma, angiolipoma, cutaneous angiolipoleiomyoma, and cutaneous angiomyxoma are here covered because of their significant vascular component. Finally, we review briefly a series of cutaneous disorders that have been erroneously considered as vascular neoplasms. Kimura's disease is an inflammatory reactive condition of unknown origin, "benign" angioendotheliomatosis is a reactive intravascular proliferation of endothelial cells that occurs in the skin as a response to a variety of stimuli, "malignant" angioendotheliomatosis is an intravascular lymphoma, and acral pseudolymphomatous angiokeratoma of children (APACHE) is better interpreted as a pseudolymphoma.

Lymphangioma-like variant of Kaposi's sarcoma: clinicopathologic study of seven cases with review of the literature

The clinical and pathological features of seven cases of lymphangioma-like Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) are reported. As with the other subtypes of KS, the lymphangioma-like variant occurs more often in men aged 59-80 years. Clinically, the lesion appears intermingled with the classical forms of KS, but a "bulla-like" appearance recognized in seven of 13 cases has been considered as a clinical hallmark of this variant. Although occasional cases have shown aggressive behavior, the most frequent clinical course is slowly progressive with localized or diffuse involvement of lower limbs. The histological pattern, characterized by permeation of dermal collagen by labyrinthine vascular channels lined by a flattened endothelium, must be differentiated from spindle cell hemangioendothelioma, low-grade angiosarcoma, targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma, and benign lymphangioendothelioma.

Cutaneous secondary follicular centre cell lymphoma in association with lymphoedema praecox

We report a patient who developed cutaneous metastases in a lymphoedematous leg, from a follicular centre cell lymphoma, in a setting of lymphoedema praecox and recurrent deep-vein thromboses. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case. We discuss the possible causes for this localization.

Angiosarcoma in congenital hereditary lymphoedema (Milroy's disease)--diagnostic beacons and a review of the literature

In cases of congenital lymphoedema the finding of ulceration, violaceous nodules or papules, or apparent traumatic ecchymoses should act as a diagnostic beacon warning of dangers. A case is reported of a high-grade angiosarcoma developing in a patient with congenital hereditary lymphoedema (Milroy's disease). This is the second paper to report this complication, the third case report and the first case in which the diagnosis is substantiated by immunohistochemistry and lectin histochemistry. A review of cases of angiosarcoma complicating congenital hereditary and non-hereditary lymphoedema is also presented.

A case of renal lymphangioma with a karyotype 45,X,-X,i dic(7q)

Cytogenetic analysis of a polycystic unilateral renal lymphangioma was performed by short-term culture and banding methods. The tumor's cells showed an isochromosome of the long arm of chromosome #7 and monosomy of X chromosome, whereas the peripheral lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin showed a normal female karyotype, 46,XX. These karyotypic anomalies suggest that lymphangioma, although clinically benign, may have malignant potential.

Soft tissue sarcomas apparently arising in chronic tropical ulcers

Of 720 soft tissue sarcomas received from Malawi over a 15 year period, eight had apparently arisen in chronic tropical ulcers which are endemic in that part of Africa. These eight tumours were classified as leiomyosarcoma (three), extraskeletal osteosarcoma (two), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (one), myxoid liposarcoma (one) and unclassifiable (one). All had a history suggestive of malignant change in a long-standing ulcer, in each case clinically thought to be a squamous carcinoma. However, in none was there evidence of an epithelial origin and all were negative for epithelial membrane antigen and cytokeratin. This association has not previously been reported. The validity of this proposed association is discussed.

Lymphangiosarcoma associated with chronic filarial lymphedema

A case of a 19-year-old inhabitant of Southern India with chronic filarial lymphedema of the right leg and subsequent lymphangiosarcoma is reported. Two additional cases of lymphangiosarcoma occurring in patients with filarial lymphedema are reviewed from the literature.

Anterior abdominal wall angiosarcoma in a morbidly obese woman

A review of the literature showed that angiosarcomas of the anterior abdominal wall are rare neoplasms and that all published cases have been preceded by irradiation and/or prior surgery. We believe that our case of a primary angiosarcoma of the anterior abdominal wall is unique and that chronic lymphedema secondary to morbid obesity may be of etiologic importance.

Splenic angiosarcoma following chemotherapy for follicular lymphoma

A case of splenic angiosarcoma in a patient who had been treated for a follicular lymphoma with chemotherapy over a period of about nine years is reported. The etiologic agents for angiosarcomas at various sites, and their associations with other tumors, are reviewed. The most important of these associations are radiotherapy and lymphedema with tumors of the skin and soft tissues; and vinyl chloride, arsenic, and thorium dioxide with hepatic tumors. For splenic angiosarcomas, only isolated associations with breast carcinoma and thorium dioxide exposure have been reported. In the present case long-term combination chemotherapy seems to be the most likely etiologic association.

Hypothesis: increasingly intensive locoregional treatment of breast cancer may promote recurrence

Evidence is presented compatible with the hypothesis that the inevitable tissue injury to the breast engendered by mastectomy or primary radiotherapy may in itself be a factor facilitating recurrence through a variety of local, regional, and systemic tumor-promoting mechanisms. The potential for tumor enhancement appears to be commensurate with the extent of injury and concerns both local and systemic recurrence. The hypothesis lends itself well to experimental testing. If confirmed, it will point to the importance of minimizing any form of tissue injury in the process of treating primary breast cancer, be it by operation or irradiation and curtailing the extent or intensity of both.

Histogenesis of post-mastectomy angiosarcoma--an ultrastructural study

An example of post-mastectomy angiosarcoma was studied by electron microscopy to determine its histogenesis. Unequivocal evidence of endothelial differentiation was found in well and poorly differentiated areas. Positive staining for factor VIII related antigen and negative staining for epithelial membrane antigen further confirmed that the tumour was a true angiosarcoma rather than a peculiar form of carcinomatous metastasis.

Squamous carcinoma of the foot arising in association with long-standing verrucous hyperplasia in a patient with congenital lymphedema

A patient is reported with congenital lymphedema who developed a squamous cell carcinoma on his affected foot. Parallels are drawn between the development of a squamous cell carcinoma with condylomatous and spindle cell features arising in a setting of long-standing verrucous hyperplasia, as seen in this patient, and the well-recognized phenomenon of angiosarcoma occurring in areas of lymphangiomatous proliferation in patients with chronic lymphedema. The importance of a random genetic mutation occurring in hyperplastic tissue in an immunologically privileged site is discussed. Additional consideration is given, in the current case, to the possibility of viral oncogenesis and the role of ulceration as a promoter factor.

Electron microscopic observations of lymphangiosarcoma arising from chronic lymphedema

Lymphangiosarcoma, so-called Stewart-Treves syndrome, originating from the edematous left leg after hysterectomy in a 53-year-old woman has been studied by light and electron microscopy. Histologically the tumor was composed of either vascular channels or solid nests of the neoplastic cells having a large hyperchromatic nucleus with a single or multiple prominent nucleoli. The inner surface of the vascular channels was lined by either single or several layers of identical cells. Erythrocytes were occasionally observed in the lumina of the vascular channels. By electron microscopy the maturation of the neoplastic cells differed considerably from one area to another even in the same section. The immature cells were clustered in groups and consisted of scanty cytoplasm and a large nucleus with prominent nucleoli, whereas some of the mature cells lining the lumina had rod-shaped tubulated bodies (Weibel-Palade bodies). Desmosomes were frequently observed between the neoplastic cells. Basal lamina was generally not continuous or not present although some vascular structures were completely surrounded by a basal lamina. An autopsy was performed but revealed no metastatic lesions in any organs or lymph nodes.

Lymphangiosarcoma

Forty-four cases of lymphangiosarcoma treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center were reviewed. With the exception of four patients with primary lymphangiosarcoma of the scalp, all patients had had chronic lymphedema of the involved limb for many years, usually following mastectomy for breast carcinoma, but occasionally due to other cases. Although chronic lymphedema could be implicated in the etiology of lymphangiosarcoma in all patients with neoplasms of an extremity, a significant number of patients did not have a history of radiation therapy at the site where their tumor developed. Histologically, although there were no differences in the lymphangiosarcomas between any of the groups of patients, the morphology of the tumors was influenced in the individual patient by the size and anatomic site of the sarcoma. Early amputation seemed to give the best chance of long-term survival, with responses to wide resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy generally only of short duration. Amputation after local recurrence was ineffective in preventing pulmonary metastases and death. At present, early amputation appears to be the treatment of choice for patients with lymphangiosarcoma.

Lymphangiosarcoma after filarial infection

A case of lymphangiosarcoma of a lower extremity is described in a patient with chronic lymphedema of that leg from a filarial infection in childhood. Histologically, the neoplasm resembled lymphangiosarcomas that arise in arms that become lymphedematous after mastectomies, but was different in that it also contained areas of calcification consistent with prior filarial infection. Calcifications were also present in muscle uninvolved by the lymphangiosarcoma of this case. The prolonged survival of this patient is unlike that of most patients with lymphangiosarcoma, which is generally shorter. Although lymphedema after filariasis is common, this is the first case of a lymphangiosarcoma arising in chronic lymphedema of filarial origin.

Postmastectomy lymphangiosarcoma: a reappraisal of the concept--a critical review and report of an illustrative case

The syndrome of postmastectomy lymphangiosarcoma (LAS) has been universally accepted since it was first outlined by Stewart & Treves (1948), except for a small number of authors who concluded that the neoplasms arising in the chronic lymphoedematous arms were in fact due to retrograde spread from the original breast carcinoma (Laffargue, Pinet & le Go 1960, Giannardi, Pelù & Zampi 1960, Giannardi & Pelù 1961, Delarue 1962, Salm 1963, Laugier, Olmos, Hunziker & Orusco 1973), but their views have been largely ignored. A case is reported in whom neoplastic arm lesions appeared 27 years after mastectomy and were due, in our opinion, to recent metastases from a new primary Carcinoma of the lung. The validity of the entire concept of LAS is re-examined.

Stewart-Treves syndrome: the histopathological evolution of epithelial metastases

Clinical, histopathologic, and ultrastructural observations in a patient who developed all the characteristics of the Stewart-Treves syndrome 25 years after mastectomy has convinced the authors that the neoplasm arises as a glandular metastasis after an initial phase of sclerosis and that the neoplastic cells are of myoepithelial type.

Angiosarcoma of the skin. A clinicopathologic and fine structural study

A study of ten cutaneous angiosarcomas is presented. These tumors characteristically involve the scalp or face of elderly individuals, where they present as bluish or violaceous plaques and nodules. They have a marked tendency for local spread in surface and depth, and a third of them eventually give rise to distant metastases, particularly to cervical lymph nodes and lung. Microscopically, angiomatous areas of freely anastomosing channels lined by atypical endothelial cells are seen alternating with Kaposi-like spindle cell areas and undifferentiated foci. By electron microscopy, the tumor cells are seen to have all the features of endothelial cells, including pinocytotic vesicles, tubulated bodies, and in one case closed fenestrations. They also exhibit a cytoplasmic specialization here interpreted as the intracellular formation of a vascular lumen. Pericytes and cells resembling smooth muscle cells are also present. In the differential diagnosis this entity has to be distinguished from other clinical types of angiosarcoma of the skin and from a number of benign and malignant conditions. It is suggested that surgery be used for solitary, well circumscribed tumors and radiation therapy for tumors that either are multicentric or have ill defined margins.