Outcomes after definitive treatment for cutaneous angiosarcoma of the face and scalp

Head Neck. 2011 May;33(5):661-7. doi: 10.1002/hed.21513. Epub 2010 Oct 19.

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present analysis was to retrospectively evaluate outcomes in patients with cutaneous angiosarcoma of the face/scalp treated curatively with surgery, radiation therapy (RT), or a combination of surgery and RT.

Methods: In all, 70 patients with nonmetastatic angiosarcoma underwent surgery, RT, or combined-modality therapy. Of these, 20 patients (29%) were treated with surgery alone, 27 patients (39%) with RT alone, and 23 patients (33%) with combined-modality therapy; 44 patients received chemotherapy, either neoadjuvantly or adjuvantly or both.

Results: Median follow-up was 2.1 years. The overall survival (OS) rate was 43% at 5 years, and disease-specific survival (DSS) was 46% at 5 years. Tumor size > 5 cm and satellitosis were prognostic for inferior OS and DSS. Combined-modality therapy (vs surgery alone or RT alone) was associated with improved OS, DSS, and local control.

Conclusions: Primary local therapy with combined-modality therapy was associated with improved local control, OS, and DSS for patients with angiosarcoma of the face/scalp.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Facial Neoplasms / mortality
  • Facial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Facial Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemangiosarcoma / mortality*
  • Hemangiosarcoma / pathology
  • Hemangiosarcoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Scalp / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents