title: Hemangiopericytoma of the spleen.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hemangiopericytoma of the spleen is a very rare tumor, with 14 isolated reports. It was our aim to review our experience and compare it with all the reported cases in an attempt to standardize surgical treatment, adjuvant treatment and follow-up protocol of this infrequent condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive case series study, with a mean follow-up of 44 months. Five patients (mean age, 49 years) underwent simple splenectomy for hemangiopericytoma limited to the spleen followed by adriamycin-based chemotherapy in one patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the patients are alive and free from disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For tumors confined to the spleen, simple splenectomy can be considered curative, without any need for further adjuvant treatment. On review of the medical literature, cure can still be achieved with complete resection of recurrences, when feasible, with adjuvant chemotherapy being also indicated. The slow-growing pattern of the tumor suggests a 10-year follow-up.
authors: The "F. Durante" Department of Surgical Sciences, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. Electronic address: giulio.illuminati@uniroma1.it.
authors: Giulio
authors: G
authors: Illuminati
authors: The "F. Durante" Department of Surgical Sciences, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Pizzardi
authors: The Department of Surgery, Sant'Anna Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Calio
authors: The "F. Durante" Department of Surgical Sciences, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
authors: Maria A
authors: MA
authors: Pacilè
authors: The Department of Surgery, "Regina Elena" Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Carboni
authors: The "F. Durante" Department of Surgical Sciences, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
authors: Piergaspare
authors: P
authors: Palumbo
authors: The "F. Durante" Department of Surgical Sciences, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Vietri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006393:Hemangiopericytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013156:Splenectomy; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D004317:Doxorubicin
keywords: Splenic sarcoma; Splenic tumors