Aortic angiosarcoma with cutaneous metastases

Primary aortic tumors are rare and include a variety of histologic types, including aortic angiosarcomas, with less than 100 cases being reported since the first description of these tumors in 1873. The diagnosis of aortic angiosarcoma is usually confirmed by postoperative histopathologic examination or postmortem study. We present a case of primary aortic angiosarcoma presenting with intermittent claudication and radiologic findings of aortoiliac atherosclerotic disease treated initially with stenting; lower extremity embolic skin metastases developed during follow-up that prompted resection of the aortic bifurcation and restoration of the arterial continuity with a bypass. Despite postresection recurrence, a 3-year survival was achieved with aggressive multidisciplinary management.