A Kaposi-like variant of splenic angiosarcoma lacking association with human herpesvirus 8

We report the case of a Kaposi-like variant of splenic angiosarcoma in a 28-year-old woman. The tumor featured a Kaposi sarcoma-like spindle cell proliferation with slit formation and markedly dilated spongelike vascular channels filled with erythrocytes. Thirteen months following the initial splenectomy, metastatic lesions were found in the patient's liver and bone marrow. The proliferating cells were positive for factor VIII-associated antigen and CD34. The human herpesvirus 8 genome, which is regarded as a diagnostic feature of Kaposi sarcoma, was not detected by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Although the histologic findings were similar, this Kaposi-like variant of splenic angiosarcoma must be considered distinct from Kaposi sarcoma.