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Cardiac epithelioid angiosarcoma presenting as cutaneous metastases.
J F Val-Bernal1, J Figols, F P Arce
1Department of Anatomical Pathology, and Service of Oncology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Medical Faculty, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain. apavbj@humv.es
Journal of Cutaneous Pathology
|June 13, 2001
Summary
Cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare heart tumor, can present as skin metastases without cardiac symptoms. Early suspicion is crucial for diagnosis, even in atypical presentations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy with a predilection for middle-aged males, typically affecting the right atrium.
- Metastatic presentation is uncommon, with only one prior report of cutaneous metastases.
Observation:
- A 51-year-old man presented with cutaneous metastases, initially diagnosed as undifferentiated sarcoma via skin biopsy.
- The patient experienced rapid disease progression and died within 26 days.
- Autopsy revealed a cardiac pure epithelioid angiosarcoma in the left atrium and interatrial septum, a previously undocumented variant in the heart.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemical staining (CD31, CD34) confirmed the diagnosis of cardiac pure epithelioid angiosarcoma.
- The tumor originated in the left atrium and interatrial septum.
Implications:
- Cardiac angiosarcoma should be suspected in cases of cutaneous metastatic angiosarcoma without a clear primary source.
- Consideration of cardiac angiosarcoma is important even when cardiac symptoms are absent.