This is a type of cancer that appears in the lining of the blood or lymph vessels. It happens rarely, and it is called angiosarcoma. However, lymph vessels are a part of the immune system that helps collect bacteria, viruses, and other waste products and dispose of them from the body.
Angiosarcoma may develop anywhere in the body, but is mostly diagnosed in the skin on the neck or head. In rare cases, this type of cancer may appear in the skin on other parts of the body (such as the breasts) or it may happen in the deep tissue (such as the liver or heart). Some people may develop angiosarcoma in parts of the body that were treated with radiation therapy for another type of cancer.
Usually, doctors prescribe different treatments for people with angiosarcoma. However, it often includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery to remove the tumor.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this type of cancer are usually different among people because it depends on where it develops. Check below some symptoms according to the location of the cancer:
Skin
In most cases, people develop angiosarcoma on the skin of the head or neck. While it mostly develops on the scalp, it may appear on the skin of other parts of the body too. Check below some symptoms:
- Bruise-like lesions that may grow large over time
- A raised region of the skin that looks similar to a bruise
- Lesions that may bleed when bumped or scratched
- Swelling around the lesion
Organs
Some people may develop this cancer type in the liver or heart, and the most common symptom is pain where the cancer begins to grow.
If you experience any of the previous symptoms for more than 14 days, immediately visit your healthcare professional for a diagnosis.
Causes
Healthcare providers do not know the exact cause of angiosarcoma. However, it begins to appear when cells in the lining of the blood and lymph vessels develop DNA changes. DNA holds multiple instructions that tell cells when to grow, multiply, and die. However, cells receive different instructions when DNA changes (mutations) occur. These changes make certain cells grow and multiply abnormally. When abnormal cells become too numerous, they form a mass called a tumor.
Without treatment, the tumor grows large and may break away, invading other structures and organs of the body. In such cases, the condition is called metastatic cancer.
Risk Factors
While experts do not fully understand why angiosarcoma happens, they have identified some factors that may increase your risk of developing it. For example:
- Radiation therapy – People who get radiation therapy for another type of cancer or other cancer treatments are more likely to develop angiosarcoma.
- Swelling – Damage to the lymph vessels caused by lymphedema (fluid buildup) may also increase the risk of angiosarcoma. Lymphedema often occurs when lymph nodes are removed during surgery to treat cancer, certain infections, and health conditions.
- Chemicals – When angiosarcoma appears in the liver is often linked with some chemicals. For example, vinyl chloride, arsenic, and others.
- Genetic syndromes – There are some gene mutations present at birth that increase the risk of angiosarcoma. For example, gene changes that lead to neurofibromatosis, Maffucci syndrome, Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, and the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers usually diagnose this type of cancer by performing the following tests and examinations. For example:
- A physical examination – During this procedure, doctors will check you for irregularities linked with the disease.
- Biopsy – This test involves the removal of a small amount of affected tissue and testing it in the laboratory for cancer cells.
- Imaging tests – The following tests are used to get detailed images of multiple structures and organs of the body. Physicians often perform CT (computerized tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or PET (positron emission tomography) scans.
Treatment
The treatment is often different among people with angiosarcoma because it depends on several factors. These include the size and location of the tumor, overall health, your age and preferences, and others. Check below some treatments often recommended for people with this type of cancer:
- Surgery – This treatment is used to remove the tumor that forms in the blood or lymph vessels. During this procedure, surgeons may also remove a small amount of tissue. It is done to make sure there are no remaining cancerous cells. When the tumor grows very large, surgery is not an option, and doctors may recommend some of the following ones.
- Radiation therapy – This therapy uses powerful energy beams to destroy cancer cells. This energy often comes from X-rays, protons, and other sources. Radiation therapy can be used before or after surgery to shrink the tumor or kill cancer cells that may remain after surgery.
- Chemotherapy – This involves strong medications to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It is often recommended when cancer spreads or surgery is not an option. Sometimes, doctors may prescribe radiation therapy along with chemotherapy to improve the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Targeted drug therapy – This therapy involves specific medicines that block certain proteins in the cancer cells, causing them to die. It is often prescribed by doctors in the advanced stages of the cancer.
- Immunotherapy – Cancerous cells produce certain substances that help them hide from the immune system. Immunotherapy is used to boost the immune system to find and destroy these cancer cells. It is also mostly recommended for people with advanced angiosarcoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy of someone with angiosarcoma?
The 5-year survival rate of someone with angiosarcoma that does not spread to other parts of the body is approximately 35%. When the cancer spreads, the same survival rate decreases.
Has anyone been cured of angiosarcoma?
If the cancer does not spread, it can be cured with surgery only. Unfortunately, there is no cure if the cancer metastasizes. For more details, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
At what age do people get angiosarcoma?
While it may appear at any age, it is mostly diagnosed in people over 70 years old. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
