Angiosarcoma of the residual breast after conservative surgery and radiotherapy for primary carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Angiosarcoma of residual breast, arising after conservative surgery and radiotherapy for early breast cancer, is a rare tumor, with only 14 cases having so far been documented. The first was observed in 1987 and 7 of the 14 were reported in 1992 alone.


METHODS
Here, we present an additional case developing in residual breast 3.3 years after lumpectomy and radiotherapy. The other fourteen are reviewed.


RESULTS
Review of data from this series of patients reveals a higher incidence of breast oedema (67%) than that reported in the literature (4%). Another unusual finding is the shorter mean latency period (time interval from radiotherapy to onset of angiosarcoma) noted here (6 years) compared to the more than 10 years reported for other secondary angiosarcomas.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the widespread use of radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery, and also its lack of benefit in terms of overall survival, every novel complication should be investigated. Given the apparent rise in incidence of this rare tumor over the last few years, doctors should be aware of the phenomenon in order to recognize and define it.
Del Mastro
L
L
Medical Oncology Department, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy.
Garrone
O
O
Guenzi
M
M
Cafiero
F
F
Nicolò
G
G
Rosso
R
R
Venturini
M
M
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000209:etiology*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects