Primary angiosarcoma of breast: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Primary breast angiosarcoma is a rare form of breast cancer, accounting for only 0.04% of all malignant breast tumours.

Presentation of case: A 28-year-old woman presented with a progressive lump in the right breast for one month. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was highly suspicious of angiosarcoma, and this diagnosis was confirmed on core needle biopsy. Modified radical mastectomy was performed as sole treatment.

Discussion: Primary breast angiosarcoma is a rare type of breast malignancy, usually occurring in the third to fourth decade and only reported in women. The histological features of angiosarcoma of the breast are conventionally graded I, II or III. Total mastectomy appears to be the only treatment conferring benefit, chemotherapy and radiation therapy being of little proven value to date. The 5-year disease-free survival for grade I tumours can be as high as 76%, and up to 70% for grade II tumours whereas for grade III tumours it is reportedly about 15%.

Conclusion: Primary angiosarcoma of the breast is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis, even after complete resection. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment with a limited role for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.