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Stewart-Treves syndrome: pathogenesis and management
Amit Sharma1, Robert A Schwartz
1Dermatology and Pathology, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103-2714, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|June 12, 2012
Summary
Stewart-Treves syndrome, a rare cancer in chronic lymphedema, is an aggressive lymphangiosarcoma. Early surgical intervention offers the best survival chance for this dismal malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Lymphedema Research
- Sarcoma Studies
Background:
- Stewart-Treves syndrome is a rare malignancy developing in chronic lymphedema.
- Historically linked to mastectomy, it also arises from other chronic lymphedema causes.
- This aggressive lymphangiosarcoma may serve as a model for Kaposi sarcoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of Stewart-Treves syndrome.
- To highlight the impact of changing breast cancer treatment on the syndrome's prevalence.
- To emphasize the need for early diagnosis and aggressive management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Stewart-Treves syndrome cases.
- Analysis of historical and current treatment approaches.
- Evaluation of prognostic factors and survival outcomes.
Main Results:
- Prevalence has decreased due to conservative breast cancer treatments.
- Chemotherapy and radiation offer limited survival benefits.
- Early amputation or wide local excision provides the best prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Stewart-Treves syndrome remains a severe complication of chronic lymphedema.
- Despite decreased incidence, early diagnosis and surgical treatment are crucial.
- Prognosis is generally poor, with untreated patients surviving only months.
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