Angiosarcoma of the heart: case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Primary angiosarcoma of the heart is an extremely rare malignant disease.


METHODS
A 32-year-old female with primary angiosarcoma of the heart at an advanced stage with lung and bone metastases is presented. The tumor showed extensive expression of c-erb-B2 and a moderate expression of c-kit. Chemotherapy (cisplatin, epirubicin and ifosfamide) was administered. Herceptin as well as glivec were added to the above combination.


RESULTS
There was a good partial response and the lung deposits almost disappeared. The duration of response was 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
This case of angiosarcoma of the heart is presented because of the extreme rarity of this disease, and its responsiveness to chemotherapy in combination with imatinib and herceptin.
Batzios
S
S
First Oncology Clinic, Errikos Dunant Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Michalopoulos
A
A
Kaklamanis
L
L
Stathopoulos
J
J
Christopoulou
M
M
Koutantos
J
J
Stathopoulos
G P
GP
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary
D015251:Epirubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D007069:Ifosfamide