J Korean Cleft Palate-Craniofac Assoc.  2003 Apr;4(1):58-61.

Pulmonary Metastasis in Angiosarcoma of the Scalp

• Lee SJ
• Kim SW
• Chung YK

Abstract

Angiosarcoma is a rare and highly malignant tumor of vascular origin which may occur in any region of the body. About one third of them are cutaneous angiosarcoma distinguished from others. The tumor primarily affects the elderly individuals, usually located on the head and neck, especially scalp and frequently metastasizes to lung. This paper reports a 58-year-old man with localized angiosarcoma of the scalp, which was dark-purple, soft, fixed and a hairless mass. The mass was confirmed as angiosarcoma without metastasis at the time of initial diagnosis and was completely removed followed by radiotherapy. 3 months after operation, the patient died from pulmonary complications which were associated with metastatic tumors to the lung. This case illustrates the need of awareness for the aggressive nature of this tumor and to suspect metastasis when pulmonary complications occur.

Keyword

Angiosarcoma; Scalp; Lung metastasis

MeSH Terms

Aged
Diagnosis
Head
Hemangiosarcoma*
Humans
Lung
Middle Aged
Neck
Neoplasm Metastasis*
Radiotherapy
Scalp*