Primary angiosarcoma of the lung and pleura

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2004 Oct-Dec;61(4):234-6. doi: 10.4081/monaldi.2004.687.

Abstract

A 46 year old male smoker was admitted for severe continuing hemoptysis. Chest-X-rays and chest computed tomography revealed nodular infiltrates and bilateral hemothorax. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy resulted to non-diagnostic cytological and microbiological findings. Open lung and pleural biopsies after right thoracotomy revealed epithelioid angiosarcoma and further staging assessment showed secondary brain and liver foci. The patient received several courses of chemotherapy but he died one month later. The clinical, radiological, pathological, histochemical and therapeutic aspects of the disease are discussed. Angiosarcoma, a rare tumour with poor prognosis should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of hemoptysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hemangiosarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemangiosarcoma / pathology*
  • Hemangiosarcoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / therapy
  • Pleural Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleural Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pleural Neoplasms / therapy
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents