Multifocal cutaneous angiosarcoma of the scalp-A challenging reconstructive case managed with skin substitutes

Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2022 Oct;5(10):e1659. doi: 10.1002/cnr2.1659. Epub 2022 Jul 12.

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous angiosarcoma (AS) of the head and neck is a rare highly aggressive tumor, often associated with difficult local control of the disease and poor prognosis. This article describes a case of multifocal cutaneous AS of the scalp, mainly addressing its difficult surgical management and challenging reconstruction and concludes with a review of the literature.

Methods: A 70-year-old Caucasian male was referred to our hospital with a growing scalp lesion initially suspected to be benign, but later diagnosed with AS.

Results: The patient had tumor recurrence and a difficult reconstruction for which dermal substitutes proved very useful.

Conclusion: AS can mimic a benign lesion in its early stages. Skin substitutes, namely dermal templates, can be useful to meet the complex needs of reconstruction and oncological surveillance of patients with AS.

Keywords: cutaneous angiossarcoma; dermal substitute; head and neck; sarcoma; scalp.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / diagnosis
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / pathology
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Scalp / pathology
  • Scalp / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Skin, Artificial*