Angiosarcoma Cancer from Diagnosis to Treatment
What is Angiosarcoma?
Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that starts in the cells lining blood vessels or lymph vessels. Because these vessels are found throughout the body, angiosarcoma can develop in many areas - most commonly in the skin | especially on the scalp or face, breast, liver, or deep tissues.
Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that starts in the cells lining blood vessels or lymph vessels. Because these vessels are found throughout the body, angiosarcoma can develop in many areas - most commonly in the skin | especially on the scalp or face, breast, liver, or deep tissues.
1. Early Signs and Symptoms
Skin:
A purplish or bruised-looking area that grows or bleeds easily
A lump under the skin
Pain, swelling, or tenderness
Internal organs:
Pain or fullness in the affected area
Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
Shortness of breath | if the lungs are affected
Abdominal swelling or jaundice | if the liver is involved
Skin:
A purplish or bruised-looking area that grows or bleeds easily
A lump under the skin
Pain, swelling, or tenderness
Internal organs:
Pain or fullness in the affected area
Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
Shortness of breath | if the lungs are affected
Abdominal swelling or jaundice | if the liver is involved
2. Diagnostic Procedure
The diagnosis usually involves several steps
Physical Examination
The doctor checks for abnormal lumps, discoloration, or swelling.
Imaging Tests
MRI or CT scan
to locate the tumor and assess its size and spread.
PET scan
to detect metastasis | spread to other parts of the body.
Ultrasound
if the tumor is near soft tissue or an organ.
Biopsy
A tissue sample is taken and examined under a microscope to confirm angiosarcoma and determine its grade.
Blood Tests
To evaluate organ function, especially if the tumor affects internal areas like the liver.
The diagnosis usually involves several steps
Physical Examination
The doctor checks for abnormal lumps, discoloration, or swelling.
Imaging Tests
MRI or CT scan
to locate the tumor and assess its size and spread.
PET scan
to detect metastasis | spread to other parts of the body.
Ultrasound
if the tumor is near soft tissue or an organ.
Biopsy
A tissue sample is taken and examined under a microscope to confirm angiosarcoma and determine its grade.
Blood Tests
To evaluate organ function, especially if the tumor affects internal areas like the liver.
3. Staging
Staging helps doctors understand how far the cancer has spread.
I - Low-grade, localized tumor
II - Larger or intermediate-grade tumor
III - High-grade or locally advanced
IV - Cancer has spread to distant organs | metastatic
Staging helps doctors understand how far the cancer has spread.
I - Low-grade, localized tumor
II - Larger or intermediate-grade tumor
III - High-grade or locally advanced
IV - Cancer has spread to distant organs | metastatic
4. Treatment Options
➛ Surgery
Aims to remove the tumor completely with clear margins.
May involve reconstructive surgery if a large area is removed.
➛ Radiation Therapy
Often used before or after surgery to shrink the tumor or kill remaining cancer cells.
➛ Chemotherapy
Used for advanced or metastatic angiosarcoma.
Common drugs:
Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin, or Ifosfamide.
➛ Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy
Some patients benefit from drugs that target blood vessel growth.
Immunotherapy is under study for angiosarcoma and may be used in advanced cases.
➛ Surgery
Aims to remove the tumor completely with clear margins.
May involve reconstructive surgery if a large area is removed.
➛ Radiation Therapy
Often used before or after surgery to shrink the tumor or kill remaining cancer cells.
➛ Chemotherapy
Used for advanced or metastatic angiosarcoma.
Common drugs:
Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin, or Ifosfamide.
➛ Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy
Some patients benefit from drugs that target blood vessel growth.
Immunotherapy is under study for angiosarcoma and may be used in advanced cases.
5. Prognosis and Follow-Up
➛ Angiosarcoma is highly aggressive, with a tendency to recur and spread.
➛ Early detection and complete surgical removal improve survival chances.
➛ Regular follow-up scans are crucial to detect recurrence or metastasis early.
➛ Angiosarcoma is highly aggressive, with a tendency to recur and spread.
➛ Early detection and complete surgical removal improve survival chances.
➛ Regular follow-up scans are crucial to detect recurrence or metastasis early.
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