Multidisciplinary approach to breast angiosarcoma in an elderly patient: Repeated local relapses and significant objective responses

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2016 Sep;29(3):537-42. doi: 10.1177/0394632015626424. Epub 2016 Feb 12.

Abstract

Angiosarcomas are malignant tumors of endovascular origin, which may be divided into primary and secondary forms. Secondary breast angiosarcomas are an increasing problem, especially in patients treated with breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy.We report a case of radiation-induced angiosarcoma of the breast in a 77-year-old woman who presented with a suspect lesion in her left breast. Excisional biopsy and subsequent immunohistochemical staining of the specimen was performed. Histological report was diagnostic for low-intermediate grade angiosarcoma. The tumor cells were diffusely positive for CD31 and CD34. We performed surgical resection with mastectomy.A multidisciplinary approach with bleomycin-based electrochemotherapy, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin has been most useful to control subsequent local relapses. To date, the patient is under close observation and is performing well. No recurrence has been demonstrated after ending of chemotherapy.

Keywords: breast angiosarcoma; elderly; pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / methods
  • Combined Modality Therapy / adverse effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Hemangiosarcoma / pathology*
  • Hemangiosarcoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy / methods
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / surgery
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / surgery
  • Recurrence

Supplementary concepts

  • Angiosarcoma of the breast