[Angiosarcoma of the breast]

Angiosarcoma of the breast is a rare connective tissue tumour, there having been fewer than 100 cases described. It occurs practically only in women and presents as a phylloid tumour of rapid growth in a young woman. There may be inflammatory phenomena; local trauma is often mentioned. The diagnosis is difficult and relies on the histological examination of biopsy specimens or of the whole specimen removed. The microscopic appearance may be very similar to that of a benign haemangioma. It is necessary to make several cuts and to remember the essential feature of a haemangioma of the breast, namely that it is subclinical and therefore usually discovered microscopically by chance. Treatment consists of simple mastectomy without usually needing to clear the axilla. It is necessary to give polychemotherapy. There is still no agreement on radiotherapy and hormone therapy. The prognosis is very serious because the mean length of survival is around 22 months. We report a recent case of angiosarcoma of the breast in which diagnostic steps were taken in order, and for which expert histological opinion made it possible to diagnose the condition in less than one month. A 37 year old woman had been complaining of the recent appearance of a tumour in her right breast which was growing rapidly because at the first consultation, within one month after her first signs, it measured 50 mm in diameter. It was poorly outlined, multinodular and non-inflammatory.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)