Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the head and neck.
Between 1920 and 1970, 13 patients (7 men and 6 women) with cutaneous angiosarcomas of the head or neck were treated at the Mayo Clinic; the mean age of the patients was 66 years. Three clinical patterns were noted: a superficial spreading type, a nodular type, and an ulcerating type. There were no predisposing benign lesions; however, in one patient, angiosarcoma developed in an area of previously irradiated skin. Three modes of therapy were used: surgery alone, radiation alone, and surgery with postoperative irradiation. Of the 13 patients, 2 survived more than 5 years and 2 were alive within 1 year of therapy. Because cervical lymph node spread is common, lymph node clearance is recommended for patients with lateralized lesion or with palpable lymphadenopathy at presentation.
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy