Angiosarcoma-like metastatic carcinoma of the liver

Two cases of metastatic carcinoma strikingly simulating angiosarcoma in the liver are described. The first case was a 53-year-old female with cystic liver tumors which were found 22 months after surgery for ureteral cancer. The second case was an 81-year-old female with multiple tumors in the liver and the pancreas, and a post-mortem examination was carried out. She had undergone surgery for skin cancer three years before. Both cases had an angiosarcoma-like appearance macroscopically and microscopically. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells of both cases were negative for CD31, CD34, and Factor VIII-related antigen and positive for several types of cytokeratin, suggesting that they were not angiosarcomas but carcinomas. Angiosarcoma is the most common sarcoma arising in the liver. Thus, metastatic carcinoma, which resembles angiosarcoma, might be mistaken for angiosarcoma.     

AN IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF 19 CASES OF CUTANEOUS ANGIOSARCOMA

Four endothelial cell markers, two selective cytokeratin markers and a monoclonal smooth muscle antibody (SMA) were employed in the assessment of 19 cases of cutaneous angiosarcoma classified according to their degree of tumour differentiation. No labelling was seen for SMA or with cytokeratin markers MNF116 and CBL170. Expression of factor VIII-related antigen was seen in two tumours and positivity for CD34 (QBend 10 antibody) was found in four tumours. By contrast the pan-endothelial cell marker Ulex europeaus agglutinin 1 (UEA-1) and the CD31 marker JC70A labelled all cases of cutaneous angiosarcoma with the exception of one poorly differentiated tumour. These data confirm the endothelial cell origin of angiosarcoma, they demonstrate that CD31 and UEA1 are reliable markers in routinely processed tissue, and they suggest a lymphatic derivation for the tumour. This finding is in marked contrast to Kaposi's sarcoma where CD34 is the most reliable marker.     

Pseudovascular squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: A lesion that may simulate an angiosarcoma

A case of pseudovascular squamous cell carcinoma in the uterine cervix of a 64-year-old woman was examined. Histologically, the lesion consisted of atypical, large, non-keratinizing squamous cells that exhibited not only acantholytic changes but also pseudovascular changes. Immunohistochemically, these tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen, but none of them were positive for Factor VIII-related antigen or CD34. To our knowledge, pseudovascular carcinoma of the uterine cervix has not been described in the literature. Pathologists should be aware of this unusual form of cervical squamous cell carcinoma, particularly in the differential diagnosis of angiosarcoma.     

Postradiation angiosarcoma of the small intestine: a case report and review of literature

Postradiation angiosarcoma is typically a high-grade sarcoma that presents mainly in the skin and superficial tissues. Postradiation angiosarcoma arising in the small intestine is rare with only 11 cases documented in the English-language literature. Herein, we report a postradiation angiosarcoma of the small intestine 9 years after radiotherapy for uterine cervical adenocarcinoma. The patient presented with symptoms of intestinal obstruction. At exploratory laparotomy, tumor nodules involved the small bowel. Microscopically, the neoplasm was composed of spindled and epithelioid cells arranged in solid aggregates and focally forming vascular channels. The diagnosis of angiosarcoma was confirmed immunohistochemically by tumor cell expression of CD31, CD34, and factor VIII-related antigen. The patient died 10 months after laparotomy. The diagnosis of PRA should be entertained for any poorly differentiated neoplasm arising in a previously irradiated site. The correct diagnosis of PRA depends upon histomorphologic identification of vascular differentiation, coupled with immunohistochemical expression of endothelial-related markers.     

Immunohistochemical characterization of thyroid gland angiomatoid tumors

The histogenesis of thyroid gland angiomatoid tumors, probably as a primary angiosarcoma, has been a controversy for many years. These tumors may be variants of undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinomas. We report a thyroid gland angiomatoid carcinoma in a 61-year-old African American male. The tumor had a heterogeneous pattern with both sarcomatous and epithelioid areas. Tumor cells lined some vascular-like spaces and others had intracytoplasmic lumens containing red blood cells. The tumor cells were found to express multiple endothelial (factor VIII-related antigen, CD31, CD34, and Ulex europaeus I lectin) and epithelial (cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen) markers as well as thyroglobulin by immunohistochemistry. This rare presentation demonstrates the heterogeneous nature of thyroid gland angiomatoid carcinoma with both epithelial and endothelial differentiation.     

Cytology of angiosarcoma. Findings in fourteen fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens and one pleural fluid specimen

We report the cytologic features of 15 cases of angiosarcoma from various sites and include 14 fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy specimens and 1 pleural fluid specimen. Six were initial diagnoses with histologic confirmation; an additional case in the liver was an initial diagnosis without tissue confirmation. One case represented lymph node metastasis from a primary prostatic epithelioid angiosarcoma. In 10 cases, immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII-related antigen, CD34, CD31, or Ulex europaeus agglutinin I was performed on the cytology or histology specimen. The aspirates varied in cellularity, and the degree of nuclear atypia ranged from relatively bland in a case of low-grade angiosarcoma of the prostate to highly pleomorphic in a lymph node metastasis from a facial cutaneous angiosarcoma. Vasoformative features such as intracellular RBCs, well-formed vessels, attempts at microacinar/lumen formation, and intracytoplasmic lumens were variably present. The background was bloody in all specimens, with necrosis in rare cases. This cytologic series emphasizes that the cytologic features are heterogeneous but that the diagnosis can be suggested by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) when vasoformative features are present. The diagnosis can be made conclusively by FNA with immunocytochemical confirmation of endothelial differentiation.     

Mediastinal mature teratoma with coexistence of angiosarcoma, granulocytic sarcoma and a hematopoietic region in the tumor: A rare case of association between hematological malignancy and mediastinal germ cell tumor

An association between mediastinal germ cell tumors (MGCT) and hematological malignancies (e.g. acute leukemia, malignant histlocytosis) has been recognized since 1984. A rare case of mediastinal mature teratoma with angiosarcoma, a hematopoietic region and granulocytic sarcoma is reported in a 29-year-old male. The resected tumor was 9.0 × 6.5 cm, weighed 65 g and showed extensive necrosis, forming a cyst. The hlstological features of the tumor showed a mature teratoma, which contained a large gland lined by ciliated epithelium, hyalinous cartilage, a paraganglion-like structure, well-diierentiated angiosarcoma with atypical hematopoiesis composed of CD34-positive cells, and mallgnant round cells. The malignant round cells did not stain for CD34 but were positive for leukocyte common antigen (LCA) and c-kit product. From these findings, the round cells were dlagnosed as granulocytic sarcoma. The patient died of metastasis of the granulocytic sarcoma in the tonsils and cervical lymph nodes 8 months after surgery. A leukemic condition was not present throughout the clinical course. The association between MGCT and hematological malignancy is a distinctive syndrome. However, its pathogenesis is still obscure and the origin of the hematopoietic malignancy has not been fully elucidated. In this particular case, it Is suggested that the granulocytic sarcoma might have arisen from the abnormal hematopoietlc area in the mediastlnal teratoma.     

Pseudoangiosarcomatous carcinoma: a clinicopathological study of seven cases

Seven cases of carcinoma mimicking angiosarcoma occurring in skin (3 cases), breast (3) and lung (1) are described. The cutaneous, pulmonary and one of the breast carcinomas were poorly differentiated and squamous in type; the other two breast tumours were poorly differentiated ductal carcinomas with focal squamous differentiation. Histologically, the pseudoangiosarcomatous pattern was due to complex anastomosing channels and spaces lined by neoplastic cells. The spaces contained hyaluronic acid. The neoplastic cells exhibited cytokeratin positivity but yielded negative results with the endothelial cell markers, factor VIII-related antigen and CD 34 (QB-END/10). Two breast tumours showed binding of UEA-1. Ultrastructurally, unequivocal epithelial differentiation was demonstrated in six of the cases. Pathogenetically, these tumours appeared to be variants of acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma. Recognition of this unusual form of carcinoma is important, as an incorrect diagnosis of angiosarcoma may lead to inappropriate treatment and prognostication.     

乳腺原发性血管肉瘤的临床及病理学特征

目的探讨乳腺原发性血管肉瘤的临床及病理特点。方法复习5例乳腺原发性血管肉瘤切片,依据2003年WHO乳腺肿瘤组织学分类标准诊断和分级。采用第Ⅷ因子相关抗原、CD31、CD34、雌激素受体（ER）、孕激素受体（PR）、细胞角蛋白（cK）及c-erbB-2等抗体进行免疫组织化学SP法染色观察。结果5例患者均以乳腺无痛性肿块为首发症状,术前B超、钼靶检查缺乏特异性诊断。组织学呈多样性表现是乳腺血管肉瘤组织学形态特点。免疫组织化学染色显示,5例血管内皮相关抗原均呈阳性表达,ER、PR、CK及c—erbB-2均阴性。结论乳腺原发性血管肉瘤非常罕见,临床表现缺乏特异性,病理形态多样,诊断困难,血管内皮相关抗原均呈阳性表达对确诊有帮助。     

Malignant myoepithelioma of the vulva resembling a rhabdoid tumour

AIMS: We report an example of malignant myoepithelioma of the vulva, which has not been hitherto described. We discuss the differential diagnosis and briefly review the literature. METHODS AND RESULTS: The lesion was found in an 81-year-old woman as an indolent 40 mm tumour. The neoplastic cells showed a myoid, spindled, epithelioid and plasmacytoid phenotype. Hyalinization of extracellular material and myxoid changes were present. There was a partly solid and microcystic pattern and a tight cohesiveness of cells was lacking. The circumscribed multinodular tumour somewhat resembled an extrarenal rhabdoid tumour, having large tumour cells with prominent nucleoli and large amounts of acidophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were immunoreactive for cytokeratin, vimentin, muscle-specific actin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and S100 protein, but not for desmin, epithelial membrane antigen, factor VIII-related antigen, CD34 and CD31. CONCLUSIONS: The histological and cytomorphological appearance of the tumour well as the immunohistochemical findings suggest the diagnosis of malignant myoepithelioma, possibly derived from minor vestibulary glands or ectopic breast tissue. Differential diagnoses are, in particular, extrarenal rhabdoid tumour and 'proximal type' epithelioid sarcoma. Differentiation is important, because the tumours show a different behaviour and prognosis.     

Postirradiation epithelioid angiosarcoma of the breast: a case report with immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study

A case of postirradiation epithelioid angiosarcoma of the breast in a 72-year-old woman is reported. She had had right breast conserving surgery, axillary lymph node dissection, and 50 Gy external beam radiation therapy for infiltrating ductal carcinoma. A skin lesion on the irradiated breast appeared 5 years after completion of radiation. Angiosarcoma was diagnosed in a contralateral axillary mass 8 months later. Light microscopically, the tumor was characterized by a sheet-like growth of epithelioid cells with focal vasoformative areas. Tumor cells were reactive for factor VIII-related antigen, cytokeratin and CD34. Electron microscopically, the tumor cells were round with smooth cell borders. They were closely apposed, occasionally forming a small lumen containing single red blood cells or aggregates of platelets. Groups of tumor cells were enclosed by an external lamina. The tumor cells had abundant cytoplasm with sparse organelles. Rare suggestive Weibel-Palade bodies were present. The immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings in this postirradiation tumor were in agreement with previously reported findings in non-irradiation-induced epithelioid angiosarcomas.     

Fatal poorly differentiated angiosarcoma of the scalp

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a very rare but aggressive tumor. Angiosarcoma of the scalp is very rare, and a review of the world literature revealed less than 60 cases. Here, the author reports a case of poorly differentiated angiosarcoma of the scalp. The pathological diagnosis was very difficult. A 70-year-old Japanase man was admitted to our hospital complaining of red mass of the scalp. An excisional biopsy was done. The biopsy showed proliferation of malignant spindle cells in the dermis. Apparent differentiation was not recognized. Invasion into the lateral dermis and subcutis was recognized. There were many mitotic figures and a few foci of necrosis. The size was 2 × 2 × 3 cm. Intracytoplasmic vacuoles were recognized in the malignant tumor cells in some places. A few vague vasoformative features were recognized in one very small area. Immunohistochemically, the malignant spindle cells were positive for factor VIII-related antigen (F-VIII-RA), Ulex lectin, CD31, CD34, vimentin, p53 protein. The Ki-67 labeling was 76%. In contrast, the tumor cells were negative for cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, desmin, S100 protein, α-smooth muscle antigen, bcl-2, melanosome, and myoglobin. The intracytoplasmic vacuoles were strongly positive for F-VIII-RA, Ulex lectin, CD31, and CD34, The abortive vasoformative channels were moderately positive for these endothelial markers. A pathologic diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the scalp was made. Chemoradiation and immunotherapy were performed. However, the tumor recurred several times, and ultimately metastasized to the systemic bones and lungs. The patient died of systemic carcinomatosis 33 months after the first manifestation.     

Atypical fibroxanthoma with pseudoangiomatous features: a histological and immunohistochemical mimic of cutaneous angiosarcoma

Atypical fibroxanthoma and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma may be difficult to separate from cutaneous angiosarcoma. We aim to study the morphological spectrum of pseudoangiomatous features in these tumors and the value of staining for endothelial markers CD31, CD34, FLI1, and ERG. Eleven atypical fibroxanthomas and 3 pleomorphic dermal sarcomas were identified. All tumors arose on sun-damaged skin of elderly men. Atypical fibroxanthomas were nodular and confined to the dermis, whereas pleomorphic dermal sarcoma invaded into underlying fascia. All tumors were composed of pleomorphic epithelioid and spindle cells showing blood-filled spaces and intratumoral hemorrhage. Intracytoplasmic vacuoles (n = 4), hemosiderin deposition (n = 2), and keloidal stromal change (n = 1) were also noted. Immunohistochemically, CD31 was expressed in 43% of cases, FLI1 in 79% and smooth muscle actin in 50%. Staining for CD34, ERG, S100, HMB-45, desmin, p63 and cytokeratins was negative. Follow up (median, 43.1 months; range 1-100), available for 10 patients, showed no adverse outcome. Pseudoangiomatous features and aberrant expression of CD31 and FLI1 in atypical fibroxanthoma and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma may lead to an erroneous diagnosis of cutaneous angiosarcoma. Negativity for CD34 and ERG, in particular, is a reliable differentiating feature in this setting.     

Angiosarcoma arising in a bone infarct

A primary angiosarcoma of the femur arose in continuity with a bone infarct in a 74-year-old man. The tumor, resected by amputation, had pleomorphic polygonal and spindle cells in solid and cystic patterns with focal vasoformative features. The immunohistochemical stains CD31, CD34, factor VIII-related antigen, and Ulex europeus corroborated the endothelial differentiation of the tumor. The patient died after developing pulmonary metastases. This is the oldest reported patient with a well-documented angiosarcoma associated with a bone infarct.     

Two cases of epithelioid angiosarcoma involving the thyroid and a brief review of non-Alpine epithelioid angiosarcoma of the thyroid

Epithelioid angiosarcoma involving the thyroid is a rare entity, more often described in the Alpine region. Two cases of epithelioid angiosarcoma that affected the thyroid in patients from a non-Alpine location were diagnosed during a 10-year period in our department. The first case occurred in an 89-year-old Chinese man with a history of longstanding goiter, whereas the second case involved a 74-year-old Chinese man with a history of angiosarcoma of the scalp. On histologic examination, both thyroid tumors were composed of plump epithelioid cells with vesicular chromatin and prominent nucleoli, forming vascular structures and solid sheets. Positive staining for CD31 and factor VIII-related antigen confirmed endothelial differentiation in both cases. Both patients died within 5 months following the diagnosis of thyroid disease. The relationship of the scalp angiosarcoma and thyroid disease of the second patient is unclear. A brief review of non-Alpine primary thyroid epithelioid angiosarcoma is presented.     

头皮低分化皮肤血管肉瘤的临床病理分析

目的 探讨头皮低分化皮肤血管肉瘤的临床免疫病理特征.方法 分析8例头皮低分化皮肤血管肉瘤患者的临床特点,观察其组织病理形态和CD31、CD34、第八因子相关抗原、波形蛋白、细胞角蛋白(AEl/AE3和CAM5.2)、上皮细胞膜抗原(EMA)、癌胚抗原(CEA)和S-100蛋白免疫组织化学染色.结果 患者平均发病年龄为69.0岁,男:女为5:3,临床早期常在头面部出现暗红斑,后期发生浸润性暗红斑块,均伴结节,偶发溃疡.组织病理检查示真皮广泛梭形细胞局部或广泛实性浸润,常见细胞异形,未见明确血管腔样结构.梭形细胞强阳性表达CD31、第八因子相关抗原和波形蛋白,弱阳性表达CD34、AEl/AE3和CAM5.2,而EMA、CEA和S-100蛋白阴性.结论 头面部出现淤斑样浸润性斑块和结节的老年患者,应及时做组织病理检查,CD31、CD34、第八因子相关抗原和波形蛋白免疫组织化学标记有助于明确诊断.     

Primary pulmonary angiosarcoma: A case report

Primary sarcoma is uncommon in the lung, and primary angiosarcoma is exceedingly rare. We report a case of primary pulmonary angiosarcoma of the left lung with emphasis on its growth pattern in the lung. A 48‐year‐old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea on exertion. He was subsequently found to have left pleural effusion. Computed tomography shows a nodular lesion measuring 7 × 4 cm in his left lung. Obstruction of the left inferior lobar bronchus was observed, and endobronchial biopsy suggested angiosarcoma. Left pneumonectomy was performed. On macroscopic examination of the cut surface, multiple nodular lesions were observed particularly in portions around branches of pulmonary artery along bronchioles. Histological examination revealed vascular channel‐like structure with vague lumen formations by atypical polygonal or spindle‐shaped neoplastic cells. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells are positive for FLI‐1, ERG, CD31 and von Willebrand factor/factor VIII‐related antigen, but not CD34. Angiosarcoma is a particularly rare form of primary pulmonary tumors, and this case report describes its unique macroscopic growth pattern in the lung.     

Epithelioid angiosarcoma arising in a deep-seated plexiform schwannoma: a case report and literature review

Angiosarcoma developing within a schwannoma is rare, and only 8 cases have been reported in the literature. Its association with a plexiform schwannoma has never been reported. We describe an epithelioid angiosarcoma arising in a plexiform schwannoma of the sciatic nerve in a 73-year-old man not known to have von Recklinghausen disease. Grossly, the tumor forms a long tubular mass with a multinodular growth pattern on the cut surface. Microscopically, these nodules display characteristics of a schwannoma, including Antoni A, Antoni B, and Verocay bodies. Adjacent to these nodules are high-grade anaplastic epithelioid cells growing in solid sheets, cords, and nests with focal vasoformative channels. The anaplastic cells are immunoreactive to CD31, CD34, and factor VIII related antigen, supporting their endothelial differentiation. Local recurrence and multiple pulmonary metastasis occurred 3 months after complete excision of the tumor. This case demonstrates the first occurrence of an epithelioid angiosarcoma in a deep-seated plexiform schwannoma with an aggressive clinical behavior.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytologic features of pseudovascular adenoid squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung.

Pseudovascular adenoid squamous-cell carcinoma (PASCC) is an epithelial malignancy with spindle-cell features that can mimic vascular neoplasms, particularly angiosarcoma, in its morphologic characteristics. There have been only a few surgical pathology reports of PASCC arising in the lung, skin, and breast. We describe the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic and histologic features of a pulmonary PASCC in a 66-yr-old man. The aspiration yielded individually scattered and syncytial fragments of malignant epithelioid-appearing cells with oval to spindle shapes, prominent nucleoli, and a finely vacuolated amphophilic cytoplasm. The core needle biopsy specimen displayed these same cells lining pseudoluminal spaces, with intervening bundles of fibroconnective tissue simulating a vascular neoplasm. The neoplastic cells stained positively with cytokeratin (AE-1/3), epithelial membrane antigen, and vimentin and were nonreactive with S-100, muscle-specific actin, CD31, CD34, and carcinoembryonic antigen. These cytologic, histologic, and immunocytochemical features supported a diagnosis of PASCC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the FNA cytologic features of this pseudovascular variant of adenoid squamous-cell carcinoma. This FNA case illustrates that the cytologic impression was more accurate and, in fact, that the histologic features of PASCC can be misleading. The correct identification of PASCC and its distinction from angiosarcoma has important clinical ramifications for treatment and prognosis. FNA cytologic examination with ancillary studies is a minimally invasive procedure that can distinguish PASCC from sarcomatous lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:265-270.