Multi-Focal, Multi-Centric Angiosarcoma of Bone

Abstract

A multi-focal multi-centric, malignant tumour of vascular origin arising in bone in a 55-year-old man is described. The presenting symptoms were pain and weight loss. Radiologically, multiple lytic lesions were demonstrated in the long bones of both legs and throughout the pelvis. Histological examination demonstrated an angiosarcoma which was predominantly low grade in nature but with focal areas of intermediate grade. Turnout cells expressed the endothelial markers CD31, CD34 and von Willebrand's factor. There was rapid radiological progression of disease with no response to radiotherapy. Pain abated within a few days of institution of doxorubicin, 75 mg m−2, but the patient died of massive pulmonary thromboembolism 14 days later, 11 months after the first symptoms.