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[Foreign body-induced angiosarcoma 60 years after a shell splinter injury].
T Teltzrow1, C Hallermann, S Müller
1Abteilung für Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie, Dorbaumstrasse 300, 48157 Münster, Germany. Thomas.Teltzrow@Fachklinik-Hornheide.de
Mund-, Kiefer- Und Gesichtschirurgie : MKG
|September 29, 2006
Summary
A rare angiosarcoma developed in an elderly patient 60 years after a World War II injury, closely associated with a retained shell splinter. Inflammation-related carcinogenesis is suggested over metallic toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy arising from vascular endothelial cells.
- Traumatic injuries, particularly those involving retained foreign bodies, can present unique long-term complications.
- The temporal fossa is a complex anatomical region susceptible to various pathologies.
Observation:
- An 84-year-old male presented with angiosarcoma in the lateral temporal fossa.
- The tumor was spatially related to a shell splinter retained from a World War II injury sustained 60 years prior.
- Surgical resection confirmed the proximity of the tumor to the foreign body.
Findings:
- Metallic analysis of the shell splinter revealed no definitive carcinogenic components.
- The findings suggest that chronic inflammation secondary to the retained splinter may have played a role in carcinogenesis.
- Literature review identified two similar cases of late-onset malignancy associated with wartime injuries.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for delayed oncogenesis following penetrating trauma and retained foreign bodies.
- Chronic inflammation is a plausible mechanism for carcinogenesis in such scenarios.
- Further investigation into the long-term effects of retained wartime shrapnel on tissue is warranted.