[Angiosarcoma of the head and face: a retrospective study of 15 patients].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of angiosarcoma of the head and face.

METHODS

The data of 15 patients with angiosarcoma of the head and face underwent treatment between January 1993 and January 2003 were reviewed. Of 15 cases 10 were men and 5 women; 11 tumors in scalp and 4 in face; 6 cases of stage I, 3 cases of stage II, 1 case of stage III and 5 cases of stage IV. Clinical symptoms included a focal mass or bruiselike patches. Surgery alone in 5 cases, chemotherapy alone in 3 cases, comprehensive treatment in 5 cases, no treatment in 2 cases. Immunohistochemical staining with CD31, CD34 and FVIIIRag was performed in 8 cases.

RESULTS

Follow-up time was 3-240 months with a median of 28 months. One patient of stage I by surgery alone and 2 patients of stage I with comprehensive treatment survived for 121, 209 and 240 months respectively and no recurrence. One patient of stage I with comprehensive treatment was survival for 127 months with tumor burden. Eleven cases died in 3-78 months after diagnosis, the median follow-up time was 20 months. Three year and five year survival rates were 46.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining showed CD31- and CD34-positive for 8 cases and FVIIIRag-positive for 6 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiosarcoma of the head and face is a high-risk sarcoma. It is rare and easily misdiagnosed but can be diagnosed properly based on pathological feature. Comprehensive treatment including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy can improve survival rate for the patients with early stage angiosarcoma.