Multicentric angiosarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract

A case of multlcentrlc gastrolntestinal angiosarcoma suffering from severe melena Is presented. Endoscopical examination revealed two polyps In the stomach and duodenum. Hlstologlcal examlnatlon showed anglosarcoma. Although a gastroduodenectomy was performed, severe melena continued, and the patient developed respiratory failure and died. At autopsy, multlple hemor-rhagic tumors were present from the duodenum to the cecum. Histologically the tumors demonstrated vasofor-matlve structure and were lmrnunohistochemically positive for von Wlllebrand factor (factor Vlll related antigen), CD34, and CD31. Numerous metastases were found In various organs, including the lungs, bones, liver, gall-bladder, and lymph nodes. The patlent had recelved hemodlalysis for 21 years due to chronic renal failure. Long-term dialysis had been associated with various malignancies. Multicentric development of anglosarcoma in the presentcase may also be related to long-term dialysis.