Cytological diagnosis of angiosarcoma arising in an immunosuppressed patient 6 years after multi-visceral transplantation: a case report and literature review

Diagn Cytopathol. 2014 Oct;42(10):884-9. doi: 10.1002/dc.23068. Epub 2013 Nov 7.

Abstract

Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor of soft tissue. It can arise in almost any part of the body, most commonly in the skin and the superficial soft tissue in the head and neck region. Although the etiology of angiosarcoma is unknown, there are several well-known risk factors, such as chronic lymphedema, exposure to radiation, toxins, and foreign bodies. It rarely occurs in transplant patients. Cytological criteria for the diagnosis of angiosarcoma have not been fully established, having been described only in a few cases, mostly fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB). Herein, we present a case of angiosarcoma arising in an immunosuppressed patient status post multi-visceral transplantation and diagnosed by cytology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case in the English literature. The cytological findings from endoscopic ultrasound-guided FNAB and ascites fluid are discussed.

Keywords: EUS-guided FNA; angiosarcoma; ascites fluid; immunosuppression; multi-visceral transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration
  • Female
  • Hemangiosarcoma / diagnosis
  • Hemangiosarcoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Pancreas Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / pathology*