Radiation Treatment of Postmastectomy Lymphangiosarcoma

Choi, Ihl Bong; Kim, Mi Hee; Gil, Hak Jun; Kim, Chun Yul; Bahk, Yong Whee

Abstract

Since the entity of postmastectomy lymphangiosarcoma was first reported by Stewart and Traves in 1948, postmastectomy lymphangiosarcoma has become a well recognized, uncommon malignant tumor which occurs in the upper extremity following mastectomy for mammary carcinoma. The postmastectomy lymphangiosarcoma occurred at an average age of 63.9 years and at an average of 10 years and 3 months following mastectomy. The lymphangiosarcoma raised from blood and lymphatic vessel. The histologic appearance has been observed edematous dermis and dilated lymphatics lining with malignant cells. Most authors recommend radical amputation for treatment, either shoulder disarticulation or forequarter amputation. Other modalities of treatment including radiotherapy were considered as ineffective. The present report provides a case of the regression of postmastectomy lymphangiosarcoma with chronic lymphedima by external irradiation. Radiation therapy was used as primary therapy. Total tumor dose of 6500 cgy in 9 weeks was delivered using 6 MV x-ray and 8 MeV electron.