Primary Epithelioid Angiosarcoma of the Adrenal Gland Case Report and Review of the Literature

Recurrent fever leading to the diagnosis of an angiosarcoma of the adrenal gland: a case report

BACKGROUND

Angiosarcoma of the adrenal gland is a very rare malignant vascular neoplasm. The clinical symptoms are atypical or completely absent. Angiosarcomas of the adrenal gland are therefore often discovered incidentally, and the diagnosis is made histologically after resection.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 46-year-old white Spanish male who was a previous smoker and nondrinker and was slightly overweight (92 kg, 176 cm, body mass index 29.7 kg/m2) with no relevant medical history presented to the internal medicine emergency department of our hospital with an unclear 12 cm tumor of the right adrenal gland. Prior to the computed tomography scan, he had had persistent evening fevers for 4 months and unintentional weight loss of 5 kg. The laboratory results showed anemia and an elevated C-reactive protein, but no hormone production. We performed an open adrenalectomy of the right adrenal gland. Finally, the histologic findings revealed an angiosarcoma of the adrenal gland.

CONCLUSION

Even though angiosarcomas of the adrenal gland are rare, the differential diagnosis of an angiosarcoma should be considered if a malignant tumor of the adrenal gland is suspected. Treatment decisions should be made on an interdisciplinary basis and preferably in a specialized center. Owing to the rarity of angiosarcomas of the adrenal gland, it is necessary to continue to share clinical experience to gain a better understanding of this particular tumor entity.

Primary Adrenal Epithelioid Angiosarcoma: A Case Report

Primary adrenal angiosarcomas are exceedingly rare with a rapidly progressive clinical course and a poor outcome. Establishing the diagnosis can be challenging, and it is complicated by the fact that there are no characteristic clinical or imaging features that are pathognomonic for angiosarcoma. Histologically, they can overlap with other more commonly encountered adrenal tumors. Herein, we present an otherwise healthy 41-year-old woman diagnosed with a primary adrenal epithelioid angiosarcoma. We aim to expand the knowledge of the sparse literature existing on primary adrenal angiosarcomas to help better understand the diagnostic features, clinical behavior, and management of these rare tumors.

Primary Adrenal Angiosarcoma and its Management: A Case Report

Primary adrenal angiosarcoma is a very rare malignancy. This is a case report of a 54-year-old female, who presented with right-sided abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen and pelvis showed a right adrenal mass with a maximum dimension of 5.7 cm. The patient went for a laparoscopic right adrenalectomy. The postoperative period was uneventful, and she was discharged on postoperative day 2. The patient was free from complaints at outpatient follow-up visits. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of adrenal angiosarcoma and the metastasis workup was negative. A multidisciplinary approach through the expertise of medical oncology, surgical oncology, and histopathology is essential for the diagnosis and management of such rare diseases.

Epithelioid angiosarcoma of bone and soft tissue: A report of seven cases with emphasis on morphologic diversity, immunohistochemical features and clinical outcome

Aims and background

Epithelioid angiosarcoma is a rare histopathologic variant of angiosarcoma characterized by an epithelioid morphology. This subset can histologically mimic non-vascular neoplasms and impose serious challenges in reaching a correct diagnosis, especially in the context of limited tissue sampling (e.g., needle core biopsy). To improve recognition of epithelioid angiosarcoma – and the spectrum of morphologic diversity associated with this rare variant – and to avoid a misdiagnosis, we describe the clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings of cases of epithelioid angiosarcoma diagnosed at our institution.

Methods and study design

Seven cases of epithelioid angiosarcoma with appropriate pathologic material were identified from our archives. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of CD31, CD34, Factor VIII, cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, HMB45, CD1a, CD68, lysozyme, CD45, desmin, and smooth muscle actin in all cases. Follow-up information was obtained by reviewing medical records or by direct communication with family members.

Results

The lesions involved the bone (n = 4) and soft tissues (n = 3). Microscopically, all tumors had a predominantly diffuse growth pattern, with a focal nested architecture in 6 cases, which closely mimicked metastatic carcinoma. The initial biopsy was performed in 2 of 6 patients and revealed the presence of a malignant neoplasm suggestive of metastatic carcinoma. Immunohistochemically, the epithelioid endothelial cells usually showed strong reactivity for CD31 (7/7), variable or focal positive staining for CD34 (5/7), Factor VIII (4/7), cytokeratin (6/7), epithelial membrane antigen (2/7), vimentin (7/7), and CD68 (3/7). In contrast, they were negative for CD1a, HMB45, lysozyme, CD45, desmin, and smooth muscle actin. Three patients died of disease within one year of the diagnosis, 2 patients developed local recurrence or metastases, and another 2 were disease-free at this writing.

Conclusions

With any unusual epithelioid neoplasm displaying some or all of the morphologic features described above, epithelioid angiosarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis. In such an instance, endothelial markers should be incorporated in the immunohistochemical analysis to avoid misdiagnosis, particularly with limited sampling.

[Primary epithelioid adrenal angiosarcoma mimicking undifferentiated carcinoma]

The adrenal primary epithelioid angiosarcoma (ASE) is a rare malignant tumor which can be histologically confused with other neoplasms. We report one case in a 79-year-old man who underwent adrenal tumor surgery for a mass fortuitly discovered by imaging for examination of an inflammatory syndrome associated with anemia. The histological diagnosis was difficult because of the undifferentiated and epithelioid appearance of tumor cells, whose immunohistochemical epithelial markers positivity led to frequent confusion with a metastatic carcinoma. Careful research for vascular differentiation at histopathological study and expression of immunohistochimical endothelial markers, are crucial to confirm the diagnosis.

Angiosarcoma of the Adrenal Gland Treated Using a Multimodal Approach

Angiosarcoma of the adrenal gland is an extremely rare malignancy. We report a case of a 59-year-old female who presented with abdominal pain and profound anemia. A 7 cm enhancing, lipid-poor adrenal mass with calcifications that extended posterior to the vena cava was identified on imaging. Patient underwent right adrenalectomy with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Pathology demonstrated angiosarcoma of the adrenal gland. Consolidative treatment included adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy. Patient remains disease free 1.5 years following treatment. Prior reported literature on the diagnosis and management of adrenal angiosarcoma is reviewed.

MYC Analysis by Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization and Immunohistochemistry in Primary Adrenal Angiosarcoma (PAA): a Series of Four Cases

Primary adrenal angiosarcomas (PAA) are rare with 36 cases reported in the English literature. MYC protein expression and gene amplification have been detected in secondary angiosarcoma (AS), and a subset of primary AS. The aim of this study was to report the clinicopathologic features of PAA and examine these tumors for MYC amplification and protein expression in a small series of four cases (resection, n = 4). Three had available material for ancillary studies and were investigated for MYC gene abnormalities and protein expression using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. Tumors occurred in three females and one male with a mean age of 69 (53-75) years. The sizes ranged from 8.5 to 15 (mean 11.5) cm and were epithelioid in morphology. All tumors had prominent necrosis, and the mitotic count ranged from 4 to 41/10 high-power fields (HPFs) (mean 20/10 HPFs, ×400). Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD31 in 4/4 cases, CD34 in 1/4 cases, and cytokeratin in 4/4 cases. The mean follow-up period was 10.8 (3-19) months, of which three patients died of disease with distant metastases, and one patient was alive with disease. MYC nuclear staining was identified in the three cases tested. Two cases showed polysomy of chromosome 8 without MYC amplification or rearrangement. Two MYC-positive cases by IHC demonstrated copy number gain in chromosome 8, and one MYC-positive case was not associated with a chromosome 8/MYC gene abnormality. In the context of new targeted therapies, MYC positivity in PAA may be clinically valuable in treating patients with these aggressive neoplasms.

A mimic of sarcomatoid adrenal cortical carcinoma: epithelioid angiosarcoma occurring in adrenal cortical adenoma

The adrenal gland is a site of various neoplasms; however, it is rarely involved by sarcomas. We present herein an unusual adrenal neoplasm consisting of epithelioid angiosarcoma and adrenal cortical adenoma. In this report, the authors highlight the diagnostic challenges associated with an epithelioid angiosarcoma occurring in an adrenal cortical neoplasm by providing a comprehensive discussion on the spectrum of vascular proliferations seen in the adrenal gland along with a roadmap for practicing pathologists. The presence of angiosarcoma within an adrenal cortical adenoma may represent a collision tumor; however, one can speculate that the rich vasculature of endocrine lesions can also create a favorable milieu for the occurrence of this phenomenon. While the latter needs to be further clarified, the presented case should be added to the unusual clinical presentations of vascular lesions of the adrenal gland mimicking a sarcomatoid adrenal cortical carcinoma.

Epithelioid angiosarcoma arising in an adrenal cortical adenoma: a case report and review of the literature

Adrenal masses are common incidental imaging findings, with the majority comprising benign adrenal cortical adenomas. However, the differential diagnosis is extensive and includes both primary and secondary malignant lesions. Primary adrenal angiosarcomas are rare and often exhibit epithelioid morphology, which can present a diagnostic pitfall. We report an exceptional "incidentaloma" in a 60-year-old lady, which showed the features of a primary epithelioid angiosarcoma arising within an adrenal cortical adenoma. No other primary tumor was identified on extensive imaging. This unusual combined tumor has been reported only once before, to the best of our knowledge. The pattern of infiltration of the malignant endothelial cells raises the suggestion that the angiosarcoma arose from vascular elements of the adenoma.

A vinyl chloride-exposed worker with an adrenal gland angiosarcoma: a case report

Adrenal epithelioidangiosarcoma (AEA) is a rare neoplasm that accounts for less than 1% of sarcomas. Due to its rarity, it can easily be misdiagnosed, both by the clinician and the pathologist. Data on the patient's occupational history was collected and analyzed. The bibliographic data was found on the PUBMED bibliographic search site after entering the word "extrahepaticangiosarcoma". We report a case of adrenal epithelioidangiosarcoma (AEA) in a 68 yr-old Caucasian male factory worker exposed to Vinyl Chloride (VC) for 15 yr. He underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Hepatic angiosarcoma is a known consequence of VC exposure, but occupational causality of extra-hepatic angiosarcoma is controversial. Extra-hepatic angiosarcomas have been reported in VC workers, but never AEA. Cancerogenic effects of VC involve all endothelial areas of the body and extra-hepatic endothelial tumors may also be caused by this substance. This is the first published report of AEA diagnosed in a worker exposed to VC.

A rare cardiac neoplasm: case report of cardiac epithelioid angiosarcoma

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare neoplasm and the epithelioid variant is exceedingly rare. We report a case of an epithelioid angiosarcoma that involved the right atrium and aorta of a 47-year-old male. The patient presented with atrial fibrillation and presyncopal spells. Following clinical evaluation, including computed tomography scan and trans-esophageal echocardiography, the neoplasm was surgically removed. It was a poorly differentiated malignant neoplasm composed of medium-sized epithelioid cells with a moderate amount of amphophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical staining, including positive staining for CK22, AE1/AE3, melan-A, vimentin, and CD31, indicated the neoplasm was best categorized as an epithelioid angiosarcoma.

Malignant tumors of blood vessels: angiosarcomas, hemangioendotheliomas, and hemangioperictyomas

Sarcomas that arise from or resemble the components of blood vessels are uncommon and include angiosarcomas, hemangioendotheliomas, and hemangiopericytomas. This article reviews the management of these three types of sarcomas. Diagnosis can sometimes be difficult, with the diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma versus solitary fibrous tumor currently in debate. Each of these sarcomas subtypes has certain unique clinical traits. The mainstay of treatment is surgical resection, sometimes combined with radiation therapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy is unproven but can be considered. For patients with advanced disease, various chemotherapeutic regimens may result in meaningful responses in a minority of patients.

Treatment and outcome of 82 patients with angiosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Angiosarcomas are an uncommon type of malignancy that are generally thought to behave usually in a locally aggressive fashion; they often metastasize to distant sites.

METHODS

Patients with a diagnosis of angiosarcoma treated at our institution between 1980 and 2006 were analyzed for patient demographics, tumor characteristics, multimodality treatment, and outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 82 patients were divided into those with primary and advanced disease. Overall, the median age was 65 (range, 22-91) years, and 44% of patients were women. Median size of tumors was 3.8 cm, and 76% of tumors were intermediate or high grade. Tumors were located throughout the body: 32 cutaneous, 22 deep soft tissues or organs, 10 radiation or lymphedema field, 8 bone, and 7 nonirradiated breast. Of 46 patients with primary disease, all patients underwent surgical resection, 67% received radiotherapy, and 27% received chemotherapy. Five-year disease-specific survival was 60%, and negative prognostic factors included intermediate or high grade, and tumors arising in a radiated or lymphedema field. Of 36 patients with advanced disease, 36% underwent a palliative operation, 78% received radiation, and 58% received chemotherapy. Median survival was just 7.3 months, and cutaneous tumors predicted a better prognosis compared with other sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary angiosarcomas treated with aggressive surgical resection and the addition of radiation for close margins or worrisome pathologic features can result in long-term survival in most patients. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is unclear. Patients with advanced disease have a poor prognosis, but there can be dramatic responses to chemotherapy in a minority of patients.