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Angiosarcoma following MammoSite partial breast irradiation.
Samuel Andrews1, Rebecca Wilcoxon, Jo Benda
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
|May 25, 2010
Summary
This case report details a rare angiosarcoma occurrence in a breast treated with MammoSite brachytherapy. It highlights a potential, previously undocumented risk following this radiation therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Angiosarcoma is a rare vascular endothelial tumor.
- Breast angiosarcoma is uncommon, particularly after radiation therapy.
- MammoSite brachytherapy is a targeted radiation treatment for breast cancer.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old female developed angiosarcoma 4 years post-MammoSite brachytherapy.
- The patient had previously undergone surgery for early-stage breast cancer.
- No prior cases of angiosarcoma after MammoSite brachytherapy were documented.
Findings:
- This report describes the first known case of breast angiosarcoma following MammoSite brachytherapy.
- The tumor arose in the irradiated breast tissue.
- The latency period was 4 years from treatment to diagnosis.
Implications:
- This finding suggests a potential association between MammoSite brachytherapy and angiosarcoma development.
- Further research is needed to understand this risk.
- Awareness among clinicians is crucial for early detection in patients treated with MammoSite brachytherapy.
