What is an Angiosarcoma?

An angiosarcoma is a type of rare, cancerous tumor that appears within the lining of a blood vessel. Such a tumor can potentially arise in any vein or artery in the body, but most angiosarcomas are found near the surface of the skin or within lymph nodes. It is often difficult for doctors to identify a specific cause of an angiosarcomas, but tumors have been closely associated with environmental toxins and radiation therapy for other types of cancer. Treatment usually consists of a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery whenever possible.

As with most cancerous tumors, an angiosarcoma develops when local cells fail to complete their life cycles normally. Instead of expiring and being replaced with new tissue, cells in the endothelial lining of a blood vessel begin replicating uncontrollably. A tumor can develop very quickly once replication starts, within a few weeks or months in some cases. The exact causes of angiosarcoma tumors are unclear, but radiation, direct injury to vessels, and exposure to industrial and agricultural chemicals may trigger their development.

The symptoms of an angiosarcoma can vary considerably depending on the location of the tumor and the stage of progression. A cutaneous sarcoma on the scalp, face, or elsewhere on the skin creates a dark, tender, bruise-like lesion. Angiosarcomas in the lymph nodes or breasts tend to cause swelling and may or may not be painful. When the liver is affected, a person is likely to experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Finally, an angiosarcoma that develops within a blood vessel in the lung can result in coughing and severe chest pains.

A doctor who suspects an angiosarcoma based on symptoms can conduct a series of diagnostic imaging tests to look for physical tumors. Once a mass is detected, a small tissue sample is extracted and analyzed in a hospital lab. If a tumor is found to be malignant, additional tests are needed to see if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

In most cases, doctors choose to combat angiosarcomas with radiation treatments and chemotherapy. If a tumor is well-defined underneath the skin or in lymphatic tissue, surgery may be possible. A surgeon can attempt to excise the tumor and repair surrounding vascular tissue. Angiosarcomas tend to be very persistent, however, and it is possible for a tumor to return even after a seemingly successful course of treatment. When the cancer cannot be eliminated, a patient may need to receive chemotherapy treatments and take medications to manage symptoms for the rest of his or her life.