Secondary breast angiosarcoma and paclitaxel-dependent prolonged disease control: report of two cases and review of the literature.
Secondary breast angiosarcomas are a well-known entity generally characterized by a poor outcome, especially in patients with advanced disease. Among the drugs with demonstrated activity, taxane derivatives are one of the most effective histology-driven treatments against angiosarcomas. We report two cases of secondary breast angiosarcoma, both characterized by a very peculiar behavior towards paclitaxel. Both patients showed local recurrence of angiosarcoma after primary surgery, and they achieved complete remission following treatment with weekly paclitaxel. When a locoregional recurrence was observed as a result of a brief treatment interruption or a treatment delay, a new complete remission was rapidly achieved with the resumption of the drug, without evidence of any significant adverse effects.
UO Oncologia Medica, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan - Italy.
Donatella
D
Gambini
Roberto
R
Visintin
Elisa
E
Locatelli
Claudia
C
Bareggi
Barbara
B
Galassi
Letterio
L
Runza
Concetta
C
Blundo
Irina
I
Sosnovskikh
Maurizio
M
Tomirotti
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D060828:Induction Chemotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel