Lymphangiosarcoma of arm after chronic lymphedema: a rare long-term complication after radical mastectomy in breast cancer patients. Case report and overview.
Lymphangiosarcoma after mastectomy was first described by Stewart and Treves in 1948. Today, this tumor associated with chronic lymphedema has become a rare entity, due to less radical surgery. Chronic lymphedema and lymphangiectasia of limbs preceding lymphangiosarcoma may not only be induced by radical mastectomy. Also post-traumatic, congenital, filarial-associated or spontaneous chronic lymphedema may be associated with lymphangiosarcoma. A time interval of years seems to be required before malignant changes supervene and lymphangiosarcoma develops. This paper describes a case with lethal and arising in an edematous arm years after radical mastectomy and irradiation. Current concepts of etiology, histopathology, immunohistology, diagnostic investigation, treatment and prognosis are presented.
Radiation Oncology Clinic, University of Würzburg.
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Kiricuta
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Dämmrich
D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008204:Lymphangiosarcoma / Q000209:etiology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology*; D015409:Mastectomy, Radical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors