Angiosarcoma of the breast: A review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Breast angiosarcoma is a rare, aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis.
• Etiology, pathogenesis, and diagnostic specificity remain unclear.
• Associated factors include radiation therapy and chronic lymphedema.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the etiology, clinical manifestations, pathological features, imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis of breast angiosarcoma.
• To enhance clinicians' understanding and reduce misdiagnosis.
• To provide insights into current treatment strategies and challenges.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review.
• Analysis of clinical, pathological, and imaging data.
• Synthesis of information on etiology, diagnosis, and management.

Main Results:

• Breast angiosarcoma presents with non-specific symptoms and diverse pathological features, often leading to diagnostic challenges.
• Surgical excision with optimal margins is the primary treatment, though optimal approaches vary.
• Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy lack clear consensus and proven efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion and comprehensive evaluation.
• Multidisciplinary management tailored to individual patient factors is crucial.
• Further research is needed to establish clear diagnostic criteria and optimize treatment protocols.