A case report of primary breast angiosarcoma with fatal pulmonary hemorrhage due to thrombocytopenia

J Korean Surg Soc. 2012 Apr;82(4):251-5. doi: 10.4174/jkss.2012.82.4.251. Epub 2012 Mar 27.

Abstract

Primary angiosarcomas of the breast are rare malignancy that account for fewer than 0.04% of all malignant breast tumors. The prognosis is poor. Surgery is the first line of treatment for angiosarcoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been tried, but their efficacy remains controversial. Here we present the case of a 47-year-old woman with a palpable left breast mass that was diagnosed as a primary angiosarcoma. The patient underwent modified radical mastectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Postoperatively, eighteen months later, the angiosarcoma recurred. The patient returned complaining of dyspnea and hemoptysis and was found to have a large pleural effusion. She developed a gradual onset of thrombocytopenia that persisted despite platelet transfusions. Finally, the patient died of respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary hemorrhage.

Keywords: Angiosarcoma; Breast neoplasms; Thrombocytopenia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports