[Malignant hemangiopericytoma with breast metastasis]

The authors report on a rare case of malignant hemangiopericytoma. A 56-year old female patient had developed a painless node on her left gluteal region 20 years ago. Years later, the resistance became tender and was subsequently surgically removed. On histology, the lesion was identified as malignant hemangiopericytoma. After a symptom-free period of 8 years distant pulmonary metastases arose, which were removed by surgery again. Shortly afterwards the patient manifested with further metastasis involving the lung again, as well as the abdomen, the skin and the breast, leading to the patient's death 2 years later. The authors review the literature, clinical course, diagnostic possibilities, prognosis and therapeutic options of malignant hemangiopericytomas. Special attention is drawn to the unexceptionally long clinical course at this particular malignancy, as well as to the late occurrence of metastases and their unusual breast localisation.