Angiosarcoma of a Femoropopliteal Bypass Thrombosed Vein Graft

Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2022 May;56(4):448-453. doi: 10.1177/15385744221077824. Epub 2022 Mar 8.

Abstract

Background: Angiosarcoma is a rare subtype of malignant vascular tumours which has been only anecdotally described in patients submitted to lower limb revascularization.

Case presentation: This paper reports a patient previously submitted to a femoropopliteal bypass using autologous great saphenous vein (GSV). Nine years after the initial surgery, a primary angiosarcoma of the thrombosed vein graft was diagnosed, requiring en bloc surgical resection. Rampant metastatic spread was documented despite primary tumour surgical resection with a dismal outcome within months.

Conclusions: Malignant transformation of autologous vein for lower limb revascularization is extremely rare and anecdotally described in the literature. It is a poorly studied complication with an aggressive behaviour. This report further reinforces the need for early recognition of this pathology.

Keywords: chronic limb-threatening ischaemia; revascularization; sarcoma; vein.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Femoral Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Femoral Artery / surgery
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / surgery
  • Popliteal Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Popliteal Artery / surgery
  • Saphenous Vein / transplantation
  • Thrombosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thrombosis* / etiology
  • Thrombosis* / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Patency