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Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare aggressive malignant vascular tumour of the skin
Author(s) -
Wollina U.,
Hansel G.,
Schönlebe J.,
Averbeck M.,
Paasch U.,
Uhl J.,
Hindemann W.,
Simon J.C.
Publication year - 2011
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 - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03905.x
Subject(s) - medicine , angiosarcoma , radiation therapy , head and neck , surgery , hemangiosarcoma , adjuvant radiotherapy , adjuvant therapy , dermatology , chemotherapy
Background Cutaneous angiosarcoma (AS) is a rare aggressive malignant vascular tumour of the skin. Methods We analysed the cases of cutaneous AS in two large dermatological departments of Saxony during the last 10 years. Results A total of eight AS cases were identified, mostly with head and neck involvement. Because of age and late diagnosis, only a minor part was completely resectable. As a palliative therapy pegylated liposomal doxorubicin was used. The drug was well tolerated. Our cases and those published in the literature suggest a high rate of responses and a possible sensitisation to subsequent radiation therapy. Conclusions Although complete surgical resection followed by wide‐field radiation therapy has been established as a therapeutic standard for AS, delay in diagnosis and older age with comorbidities warrant for a safe and effective adjuvant treatment. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin combined with radiotherapy seems to be a useful and safe alternative.