An update on radiation-induced angiosarcoma of the breast : a diagnostic and management challenge

Christine Zhao, Hema Mahajan, Phuong Dinh, Najmun Nahar, T. Michael Hughes, Nicholas K. Ngui

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Post-radiation angiosarcoma (AS) of the breast is a rare complication after breast radiotherapy. The diagnosis and management of post-radiation AS is challenging because of its non-specific but aggressive presentation. This study aims to examine the experience of a local health district with post-radiation AS to improve awareness of this condition. Methods: A retrospective case series was performed on patients diagnosed with post-radiation AS within Western Sydney Local Health District between 2000-2021. Eligibility criteria included patients with histologically proven breast angiosarcoma and a history of past breast radiotherapy. Results: In the study, 11 patients had post-radiation AS of the breast. The annual incidence was 1 in 18,000 of the breast radiotherapy-treated population. Descriptive analysis was performed on six patients. The median age was 67 years, with a median latency period of 5.5 years. All patients presented with non-specific skin changes. Core/punch biopsy was inconclusive in five patients. Mastectomy was the mainstay of treatment. Three patients had disease recurrence. The five-year survival rate was 68%. Conclusion: Post-radiation AS of the breast is a rare disease associated with a poor prognosis due to its aggressive nature and high recurrence rate. Diagnosis is challenging with high false-negative rates associated with imaging and biopsy. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion in patients treated with past breast radiotherapy.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)340-346
Number of pages7
JournalArchives of Breast Cancer
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2023. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License, which permits copy and redistribution of the material in any medium or format or adapt, remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, except for commercial purposes.

Notes

WIP in RD

Keywords

  • Angiosarcoma
  • breast cancer
  • radiotherapy

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