Radiation-associated breast angiosarcoma after strut-adjusted volume implant brachytherapy

Abstract

Angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy that may classically occur in the post-treatment breast. Radiation and post-treatment edema have been identified in the literature as causative risk factors. Modern treatment innovations have provided patients with more targeted radiation therapy and more conservative surgical options, which may individually limit exposure to these risk factors. Advanced treatment options are also able to provide superior cosmetic outcomes that can positively impact patient quality of life. Despite the ability for modern treatment options to mitigate post-treatment morbidities, there is still long-term risk to the patient of developing treatment-related pathologies, such as breast angiosarcoma. Here we present a patient who underwent lumpectomy and received targeted brachytherapy through a strut-adjusted volume implant device to her lumpectomy site. Her initial post-treatment course was mildly complicated by localized breast lymphedema, which resolved and left the patient with favorable cosmetic results. She developed treatment-associated breast angiosarcoma after initial breast conservation therapy was completed approximately 6 and a half years prior. Her presenting physical exam and imaging findings are portrayed with a comprehensive discussion of the commonly described presenting clinical features and imaging findings of breast angiosarcoma. Factors related to radiation treatment planning and use of the strut-adjusted volume implant device are also discussed. Comparisons between primary and secondary breast angiosarcoma are made, and a review of treatment options is given.

Keywords

• Breast
• Angiosarcoma
• Brachytherapy
• Radiation
• MRI
• PET/CT