Angiosarcoma Prognosis

Angiosarcoma is a type of tumor that commonly develops in the lining of blood vessels. The disease is aggressive, spreads fast, and has a high rate of recurrence locally. Its origins can be in any part of the body but commonly arises in the skin, soft tissues, breasts, lungs, heart, liver, spleens, and bones.

Factors that may have caused angiosarcoma include:

Radiotherapy
Chronic lymphedema (or radical mastectomy)
Foreign objects retained in the body (like plastic, steel, shrapnel, and Dacron vascular prosthesis)
Environmental toxins:
Arsenic solutions that are sprayed on grapevines
Thorotrast (contrast agent that emits radiation)
Vinyl chloride (commercial chemical used in plastic and rubber industry)

Angiosarcoma prognosis is often poor because symptoms do not appear early or not specific. However, the earlier angiosarcoma was diagnosed, the faster and more effective the treatment would be. The end result could be a better prognosis.

Here some factors that affect the diagnosis:

Tumor size is often larger than what it shown externally.
Treatments like chemotherapy sometimes cause development of angiosarcoma.
Primary site of tumor may assist the disease to spread to other parts.
The spread of tumor is wider and deeper than the result from tests.

Soft Tissue Angiosarcomas (extremities, abdominal wall, and retroperitoneum)

MRI provides accurate delineation of local disease.
CT scan (chest) is sensitive but not specific.

Bone Angiosarcoma

Radiography result does not specify presentation but features high-grade lesions that destroy soft tissues.
CT scan confirms insidious character of lesions and their multiplicity.
MRI test findings help present involvement of neurovascular structures and extension of soft tissue.
Bone scan helps form differential diagnosis with multifocal bone processes and multiple myeloma (or cell histiocytosis).

Cutaneous angiosarcoma

CT scan helps identify disease on head and neck.
MRI shows extent of bone and soft tissue involvement.

Prognosis of the disease becomes good when the tumor is limited to a primary site. It is known as malignant and aggressive but treatment options include:

Surgical resection
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
Medication with angiogenesis inhibitor

Angiosarcoma is a tumor that commonly develops in the lining of blood vessels. It is aggressive and spreads fast with a high rate of local recurrence. Angiosarcoma prognosis is often poor because symptoms do not appear early and are unspecific.