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Successful treatment of angiosarcoma of the scalp by intralesional cytokine therapy and surface irradiation *
Author(s) -
Ulrich Jens,
Krause Markus,
Brachmann Adna,
Franke Ingolf,
Gollnick Harald
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1046/j.1468-3083.2000.00111.x
Subject(s) - medicine , angiosarcoma , scalp , radiation therapy , surgery , cytokine , alpha interferon , lymph , dermatology , interferon , pathology , immunology
An 88‐year‐old woman presented to us with angiosarcoma of the scalp that had developed over a 6‐month period following previous trauma. Despite explicit information concerning the extremely malignant potential of the tumour the patient refused any surgical intervention. However, she agreed to receive local, intralesional interferon α‐2b and interleukin‐2 therapy. After partial remission of the tumour, the intralesional cytokine injections were combined with surface radiotherapy. This combination therapy led to a 2‐year remission of both the tumour and sonographically suspicious cervical lymph nodes. Apart from the typical, moderate side‐effects of interferon α‐2b and interleukin‐2 the therapy was well tolerated. In conclusion, in our limited experience intralesional cytokine therapy – alone as well as in combination with surface irradiation – seems to be an alternative therapeutic option for patients who is not a candidate for surgery.