Primary splenic angiosarcoma - the same diagnosis yielding two different clinical pictures. Case report

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Splenic angiosarcoma is an exceptionally rare malignant neoplasm, accounting for a very small fraction of all reported cancer cases.
• First described in 1879, its clinical presentation and diagnostic indicators are highly variable.
• Common symptoms include abdominal pain (75% of patients) and organ rupture (25-33%).

Observation:

• This report presents two distinct cases of primary splenic angiosarcoma.
• The first case involved splenic angiosarcoma with concurrent liver involvement.
• The second case featured splenic angiosarcoma with metastasis, liver involvement, and primary colon adenocarcinoma.

Findings:

• The two cases, despite similar diagnoses, exhibited markedly different clinical manifestations.
• The second case is notable for the independent occurrence of primary splenic angiosarcoma alongside primary colon adenocarcinoma, a combination not previously documented.
• This highlights the potential for splenic angiosarcoma to present with or independently of other primary neoplasms.

Implications:

• The variable clinical presentation of splenic angiosarcoma necessitates a high index of suspicion for diagnosis.
• The co-occurrence of splenic angiosarcoma with other primary malignancies, as observed in the second case, is significant and warrants further investigation.
• Recognizing these diverse presentations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of this rare tumor.