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[Breast angiosarcoma]
F Sandoval Guerrero1, M Moreno Möller, C Avecilla Guerrero
1Unidad de Tumores Mamarios, Hospital General de México.
Ginecologia Y Obstetricia De Mexico
|February 24, 2001
Summary
This case report highlights a rare mammary angiosarcoma in a young female. Early suspicion and advanced imaging like MRI are crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment of this aggressive breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Radiology
Background:
- Mammary angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignant vascular neoplasm of the breast.
- It often presents as a rapidly growing mass, sometimes with overlying skin changes.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old female presented with a 2-year history of progressive left breast enlargement and a painless mass with violaceous macular lesions.
- Mammography was inconclusive, but contrast-enhanced MRI revealed a large (10.5 x 8.5 cm) vascular mass involving the superior breast and extending to the pectoral fascia.
- Initial biopsy suggested low-grade angiosarcoma, with final histopathology confirming intermediate-grade mammary angiosarcoma.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemistry was positive for Factor VIII, Ulex Europaeus, and CD31, supporting the diagnosis of angiosarcoma.
- The tumor occupied a significant portion of the breast but did not invade the pectoral muscle.
Implications:
- A high index of suspicion is essential for the early diagnosis of mammary angiosarcoma.
- Magnetic resonance imaging plays a vital role in characterizing the extent of the tumor and guiding clinical management, including surgical approach.