What is it about?
Elephantiasis or elephant-like enlargement of the lower limbs is the end stage of chronic lymphedema. It is rarely complicated by an angiosarcoma (malignancy of the cells that line the walls of blood vessels). Stewart-Treves syndrome is the term used when angiosarcoma evolves on the background of chronic lymphedema. Stewart-Treves syndrome is usually seen in the axilla region years after breast cancer surgery that involves the resection of lymph nodes in the axilla. This is a case report of a 59-year-old male patient that developed angiosarcoma superimposed on elephantiasis of the lower limbs. Unfortunately, he died a month after the diagnostic biopsy was obtained. This is a rare multifocal tumor in a male with an unusual lower leg location. We reviewed the literature and the need to differentiate this often deadly lesion from a Kaposi's sarcoma.
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Why is it important?
Angiosarcoma is a rare and lethal cancer, early diagnosis is crucial to save lives. Although angiosarcoma superimposed on chronic lymphedema is rare it is possible and should be sought.
Perspectives
This is an extremely unusual case due to the location of the lesions and the gender involved. We were overwhelmed with the results and the misfortune outcome of it. Therefore, we wanted to share our experience with other clinicians as early diagnosis is essential.
Dr. Eran SHAVIT
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Angiosarcoma complicating lower leg elephantiasis in a male patient: An unusual clinical complication, case report and literature review, SAGE Open Medical Case Reports, January 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/2050313x18796343.
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