title: Radiotherapy in multilocalized lymphedema-associated angiosarcoma.
abstract: We report an 80-year-old woman, suffering from a recurrence of a multilocalized lymphedema-associated angiosarcoma of the right arm. The tumor consisted of solid tumor cell formations and "classical" spongiform tumor complexes. In the tumor periphery, pathological endothelial cell proliferates on pre-existing dilated lymphatic capillaries were detectable, which, together with immunohistology (CD 31+/Desmoplakin-1-2.17+/CD 34-), supported the diagnosis of lymphangiosarcoma. Complete remission was achieved under radioimmunotherapy (54 Gy/Interferon beta). A further recurrence 3 months later outside the primary therapy fields was successfully treated with radiotherapy alone. During a follow-up observation period of 3 years, there was neither local recurrence nor metastasis. This case demonstrates for the first time the long-lasting efficacy of photon radiation in a case of histologically-defined lymphangiosarcoma. Further studies should elucidate the suitability of radio monotherapy as first-line therapy in lymphedema-associated angiosarcoma with lymphatic endothelium-like immunohistology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Klinik und Poliklinik für Hautkrankheiten Ernst-Kromayer-Str. 5 D-06097 Halle (Saale), Germany.
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Danz
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hellmann
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stadie
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunst
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Wolfgang Ch
authors.initials: WCh
authors.lastname: Marsch
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Helmbold
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000150:complications*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*