Angiosarcoma

What is Angiosarcoma?

Angiosarcomas are tumors that develop from blood vessel cells. They can arise from anywhere hut are most common in soft tissues. Angiosarcomas have been found in the liver, breast, spleen, bone and heart.

Many angiosarcomas exhibit no signs in the early stages. When they are detected, they are typically advanced.

Angiosarcomas are aggressive and can spread widely. They also can spread through the lymphatic system.

What causes Angiosarcomas?

Angiosarcomas can develop from chronic lymphedema in a body part or from previous radiation treatment or exposure. Researchers don't know why, but those that have experienced edema in a body part are at a greater risk for developing angiosarcomas. This most often occurs in extremities like arms and legs.

Women can develop a rare breast angiosarcoma after radical mastectomy surgery. Radical mastectomies are not done as much these days, but in the past they were done a lot for treatment of breast cancer. The breast tissue is removed along with a portion of the pectoral, or chest, muscle. Lymph nodes under the armpit were removed also to prevent the spread of the cancer through the lymphatic system. The loss of these lymph nodes under the arm led to edema in that area.

Radiation treatment for masses in other parts of the body has led to angiosarcomas. The radiation treatments were mostly for gynecological problems and abdominal wall masses. Thickened skin with lesions develops in the radiated areas as a sign that an angiosarcoma is present.

Vinyl Chloride exposure is another cause of Angiosarcoma. Industrial workers in the plastics industry and some beauticians have had higher rates of cancer associated with Vinyl Chloride. Angiosarcoma of the liver has an annual incidence of 2 cases per 10 million people. BUT in workers exposed to Vinyl Chloride that rate rises to 2.5 cases per 1000 people.