Angiosarcoma Symptoms

Defined as a malignant condition which seriously affects blood, Angiosarcoma is difficult to detect because there are few symptoms that indicate the presence of tumor until there is serious medical emergency. Treatment is usually not effective.

Because Angiosarcoma is a rare type of cancer, so the history of the patient is important to know during diagnosis. The usual ways a patient develops Angiosarcoma are through exposure to vinyl chloride when working in vinyl chloride factories, beauty shops, and other plastics industries. Less common cause is the high dose of ionizing radiation like radiation therapy. People who are exposed to these carcinogens are more likely to develop the aggressive cancer.

The advanced Angiosarcoma typically found in the skin, bone, and surrounding tissues is obviously easier to diagnose. Symptoms could be one of the following:

Bone pain
Swelling or lump under the skin
Skin lesions
Stabbing pains or dull aches
Fatigue
Anemia
Reduction of red blood cells

The internal Angiosarcomas are not easily diagnosed and the tumors often grow and spread out to other organs rapidly. And once the tumors are developed, they are very difficult to treat.

Distinct features of Angiosarcoma at different sites and in different organs of the body are the following:Soft Tissue. Tumor in the abdomen grows rapidly. Symptoms include: gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, and hemorrhage.

Skin. Skin develops large lesions. Symptoms include: unhealed ulceration, blue-black nodule, and enlarged bruise.
Bone. Bone weakens and breaks easily. Symptoms include: tenderness on the affected areas, swelling, and pain.
Liver. Symptoms include: jaundice, loss of appetite, weight loss, hepatic dysfunctions, and pain in the upper quadrant.

Defined as a malignant condition which seriously affects blood, Angiosarcoma is difficult to detect because there are few symptoms that indicate the presence of tumor until there is serious medical emergency. Treatment is usually not effective.