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Published on: February 23, 2024
[Angiosarcoma in primary lymphoedema: A rare complication]
M-M Farhat1, A Le Guern2, C Peugniez3
1Dermatologie, hôpital Saint-Vincent, Lille, France.
Background:
Chronic lymphoedema is classically complicated by recurring episodes of cellulitis. Degeneration to the angiosarcoma form (Stewart-Treves syndrome) is much less common. It occurs mainly in the upper limbs following surgery or radiotherapy for mammary neoplasia. Herein we report a rare case of Stewart-Treves syndrome (STS) of the lower limb as a complication of congenital lymphoedema.
Patients And Methods:
A 69-year-old woman treated for bilateral lower-limb oedema present for 30years developed painful necrotic lesions in her left lower limb. A diagnosis of angiosarcoma was made based on biopsy of a nodular lesion. Since surgical excision was precluded by the extent of the lesions, chemotherapy was initiated with paclitaxel 175mg/m2 every 21days. The outcome was rapidly unfavourable and the patient died at her home during the third course of treatment.
Discussion:
Angiosarcoma is an extremely rare complication of primary lymphoedema; treatment is poorly codified and the prognosis is unfavourable.
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