Angiosarcoma of the breast: a rare clinicopathological entity.
OBJECTIVE
Angiosarcoma is a rare subtype of sarcoma that usually arises after radiation therapy for primary breast cancer. Primary sarcomas of the breast are rare entities and account for less than 1% of all malignant breast neoplasms. We examine our institutional experience with angiosarcomas of the breast that were diagnosed and treated between 1996 and 2007.


METHODS
To conduct a retrospective review, all female patients with a diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the breast were identified from our pathology database. Their hospital records were retrieved to gather information on treatment, tumor response, failure, and survival.


RESULTS
A total of 8 patients were identified who had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the breast. Median age was 70.3 years at diagnosis (range, 35.6-85.7 years). Seven (87%) patients had a history of prior radiation to the breast, whereas 1 (13%) had primary angiosarcoma. The median overall survival was 37.4 months (8.7-92.8 months) and relapse-free survival was 17.9 months (2.5-69.4 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Even though angiosarcomas are rare neoplasms, they are increasingly recognized as the result of more breast-conserving therapy. High clinical suspicion and MRI may contribute to early diagnosis but a biopsy is always necessary to confirm it. These tumors tend to behave aggressively and require a multidisciplinary approach to improve the outcome.
Biswas
Tithi
T
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 647, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. tithipodder@yahoo.com
Tang
Ping
P
Muhs
Ann
A
Ling
Marilyn
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome