Cutaneous angiosarcoma
General
Angiosarcoma is a rare, highly malignant endothelial soft tissue sarcoma with vascular differentiation, accounting for approximately 2% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Its incidence has increased in recent decades from about 0.13/100,000 (1975) to about 0.33/100,000.
- Risk factors: Important risk factors include chronic lymphedema (Stewart-Treves syndrome), radiation.
- Prognosis: The prognosis is characterized by a 10-year survival rate of approximately <20%, due to early metastasis to the lungs, liver, and lymph nodes.
Types
Distinguished are:
- Sporadic (cutaneous) angiosarcoma (often head and neck region)
- Lymphedema-associated angiosarcoma (Stewart-Treves syndrome)
- Post-radiation angiosarcoma
- Epithelioid angiosarcoma
The most common cutaneous angiosarcoma is the sporadic angiosarcoma in the head.
Diagnostics
- Histology: Diagnosis is confirmed by deep biopsies with immunohistochemical detection of endothelial markers.
- Immunohistochemistry: The most sensitive marker is CD31.
- Clinical sign: A clinical indicator can be the "tilt phenomenon" (apparent displaceability of livid lesions).
- Staging: PET-CT is preferred for staging.
Differential diagnoses
- Kaposi's sarcoma
- Haemangioma
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Merkel cell carcinoma
- Atypical fibroxanthoma
- Port-wine stain
Practise Cutaneous angiosarcoma in the app
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In the DermaFuchs app: 7 flashcards · 2 clinical images
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Note: This page is intended for medical education and does not replace diagnosis or treatment decisions in individual cases. Treatment and follow-up content is available in the app.