Stewart-Treves syndrome (angiosarcoma on lyphoedema): A rare complication of lymphoedema

Stewart-Treves syndrome (SST) or former lymphangiosarcoma is a rare complication of chronic lymphoedema mainly related to the breast cancer (90% of cases). It occurs in 0.03% of patients surviving 10 or more years after radical mastectomy. The prognosis is very poor with a five-year survival close to 10% despite the various treatment modalities. The treatment of choice is a large resection, but some authors recommend radical resection in the form of shoulder disarticulation or forequarter amputation. Surgical treatment can be preceded or followed by radiation therapy. Locally advanced tumors or metastatic forms can be treated with mono or polychemotherapy, systemic or local.