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[Stewart-Treves syndrome (author's transl)]
La Nouvelle Presse Medicale
|February 23, 1980
Summary
Stewart-Treves syndrome, a rare complication of chronic lymphoedema, developed in a 78-year-old woman 13 years post-mastectomy. This angiosarcoma highlights the importance of monitoring long-term lymphoedema patients for secondary malignancies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Chronic lymphoedema is a known complication following breast cancer treatment, including mastectomy and axillary node dissection.
- Radiotherapy is often used as an adjuvant treatment for breast cancer, potentially influencing long-term outcomes.
Observation:
- A 78-year-old woman presented with persistent lymphoedema of the right upper limb 13 years after undergoing right mastectomy, axillary node dissection, and radiotherapy.
- An angiosarcomatous tumour developed on the medial aspect of her right arm.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with Stewart-Treves syndrome, a rare condition characterized by angiosarcoma arising in the setting of chronic lymphoedema.
- The aetiology of this angiosarcoma is debated, with some considering it a metastasis of breast carcinoma and others a distinct entity akin to primary cutaneous angiosarcomas.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical need for vigilant surveillance of chronic lymphoedema patients for the development of secondary malignancies.
- Understanding the clinicopathological spectrum of Stewart-Treves syndrome is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
- Further research may clarify the relationship between chronic lymphoedema, radiotherapy, and the development of angiosarcoma.