Angiosarcoma of the liver: a signal lesion of vinyl chloride exposure

Vinyl chloride (VCM) induced angiosarcoma of the liver (ASL) is a rare vascular tumor which might be associated with a wide range of disease states. The possibility that this tumor might be a signal lesion is supported by mortality studies suggesting that cancers of the digestive, respiratory, neurological and lymphatic systems have occurred more often than expected in VCM workers. There is also evidence that certain non-neoplastic disorders, such as pneumoconiosis and excess fetal deaths, may be associated with this chemical. It has been suggested that a gradual increase in the incidence of ASL might have occurred in recent years. This could be a reflection of the long latency period and/or the increased recognition of this entity. Several cases of ASL have occurred in people living in the vicinity of VCM plants. This raises the possibility that low-level exposure to this chemical over a long period might induce ASL.