A case report of primary breast angiosarcoma with fatal pulmonary hemorrhage due to thrombocytopenia.
10.4174/jkss.2012.82.4.251
- Author:
Yong Seok KIM
1
;
Young Joong KIM
;
Kwang Il YIM
;
Woo Chan PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. wcpark@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Angiosarcoma;
Breast neoplasms;
Thrombocytopenia
- MeSH:
Breast;
Breast Neoplasms;
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant;
Dyspnea;
Female;
Hemangiosarcoma;
Hemoptysis;
Hemorrhage;
Humans;
Mastectomy, Modified Radical;
Middle Aged;
Platelet Transfusion;
Pleural Effusion;
Prognosis;
Respiratory Insufficiency;
Thrombocytopenia
- From:Journal of the Korean Surgical Society
2012;82(4):251-255
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Primary angiosarcomas of the breast are rare malignancy that account for fewer than 0.04% of all malignant breast tumors. The prognosis is poor. Surgery is the first line of treatment for angiosarcoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been tried, but their efficacy remains controversial. Here we present the case of a 47-year-old woman with a palpable left breast mass that was diagnosed as a primary angiosarcoma. The patient underwent modified radical mastectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Postoperatively, eighteen months later, the angiosarcoma recurred. The patient returned complaining of dyspnea and hemoptysis and was found to have a large pleural effusion. She developed a gradual onset of thrombocytopenia that persisted despite platelet transfusions. Finally, the patient died of respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary hemorrhage.
