[Face to a bilateral pneumothorax, just scratch your head!]

Rev Mal Respir. 2023 Feb;40(2):193-197. doi: 10.1016/j.rmr.2023.01.003. Epub 2023 Jan 24.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Head and neck skin angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive tumor (1 % of head and neck tumors). Prognosis remains poor, with a 5-year survival rate ranging from 10 to 54%, depending on the initial stage. Metastatic disease markedly worsens the prognosis. Metastatic lung involvement is classic and can take on several forms. The cystic form is responsible for numerous complications, particularly pneumothorax. In this case, an 83-year-old patient was diagnosed with bilateral pneumothorax complicating cystic interstitial lung disease, which was revealed by hemoptoic sputum. Skin examination revealed two large necrotic lesions of the calvaria. Anatomo-pathological examination confirmed cutaneous angiosarcoma on both skin biopsy and lung resection. At a metastatic stage, only systemic treatment with paclitaxel can be proposed. The clinical course was unfavorable, leading to death before any specific treatment. This observation highlights the importance of a complete clinical skin examination in the assessment of pulmonary cystic lesions.

Keywords: Angiosarcoma; Angiosarcome; Cancer cutané; Cystic lung disease; Cystic metastasis; Maladie kystique pulmonaire; Métastases kystiques; Pneumothorax; Skin cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cysts* / pathology
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / complications
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / diagnosis
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases* / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms* / secondary
  • Pneumothorax* / diagnosis
  • Pneumothorax* / etiology
  • Pneumothorax* / therapy
  • Scalp / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms* / complications