Angiosarcoma

A very rare type of breast cancer, angiosarcoma develops in either the blood vessels or lymphatic vessels of your body. It can spread to various parts of the body, including your head and neck, chest and breast and in your liver or spleen.

If you’re diagnosed with angiosarcoma, our cancer specialists at Advocate Cancer Institute are here for you. We offer the most comprehensive cancer care in Illinois, using the latest diagnostic tests and treatments, including genetic testing and access to clinical trials,

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What is angiosarcoma breast cancer?

Angiosarcoma represents only a small fraction of breast cancer cases, ranging from 0.1-0.2%. Both men and women can get it, and it may happen spontaneously or due to complications of radiation therapy or other underlying causes.

Types of angiosarcoma breast cancer

There are two types of angiosarcoma:

• Primary angiosarcoma: Develops without known factors or previous radiation therapy, often presenting with symptoms such as rapid mass growth or pain. It's more prevalent in younger women, typically between 30-50 years old.
• Secondary angiosarcoma: Occurs due to existing health conditions or radiation therapy, commonly occurring 8-10 years post-treatment. Factors such as exposure to chemicals or having breast implants may also contribute to this type of angiosarcoma.

Early signs of angiosarcoma breast cancer include a noticeable lump or mass that quickly grows, similar to other breast cancers like invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) or invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). It’s common for angiosarcoma to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage because of how rare it is. This cancer also has similar symptoms to other breast cancers.

How aggressive is angiosarcoma breast cancer?

Angiosarcoma is an aggressive type of breast cancer. How aggressive it can be depends on the cancer’s stage, tumor size and location, whether it is a primary or secondary type and treatment response.

Compared to more common breast cancers like invasive ductal carcinoma, angiosarcoma generally carries a worse outlook. Its rapid growth and tendency to invade neighboring tissues makes it particularly challenging to treat and diagnose.

Risk factors for angiosarcoma breast cancer

Some risk factors associated with developing angiosarcoma may include:

• Having radiation therapy: Exposure to radiation, particularly high doses or repeated treatments, significantly increases the risk of getting angiosarcoma breast cancer.
• Environmental factors: Contact with specific chemicals, such as vinyl chloride or arsenic, is connected to an increased risk of angiosarcoma.
• Chronic inflammatory conditions: Some persistent inflammatory conditions, like lymphedema or chronic lymphatic stasis, increase the risk of angiosarcoma.
• Genetic factors: Genetics are not a common risk factor, but a family history of breast cancer may increase your risk.

It's important to note that while these factors may increase the risk of developing angiosarcoma, you may not get it even if you have any of these risk factors. On the other hand, you may get it even if you don’t have any risk factors.

Symptoms of angiosarcoma breast cancer

Symptoms of angiosarcoma vary depending on your tumor's type and location. The most telling sign of angiosarcoma breast cancer is a lump that grows rapidly and may cause you discomfort. Additional symptoms may include:

• Skin changes, such as reddish or bluish discoloration
• Swelling in the affected area
• Pain
• Bleeding
• Fatigue

If you detect any unusual lumps, skin alterations or your symptoms worsen over time, it's important to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Early detection and treatment can help improve outcomes.

Grades of angiosarcoma breast cancer

If diagnosed, your doctor will give your angiosarcoma breast cancer a grade, which is decided by the characteristics of cancer cells when looked at under a microscope. This system helps your doctor understand the speed at which your cancer cells may grow and spread to nearby tissue or other parts of your body.

Angiosarcoma cancer is graded on a scale ranging from Grade 1-3:

• Grade 1 (low grade): Cancer cells closely resemble normal breast tissue cells. They exhibit slow growth and spread, rendering this grade less aggressive.
• Grade 2 (intermediate grade): Cancer cells show some abnormal characteristics but are not visibly different from normal cells. They may grow and invade other areas of the body at a moderate pace.
• Grade 3 (high grade): Cancer cells appear significantly different from normal cells. They demonstrate aggressive behavior, including rapid growth and spread, often leading to a poorer prognosis.

Angiosarcoma is often at grade 3 by the time it's found because of its difficulty to be detected or diagnosed in the earlier stages.

Stages of angiosarcoma breast cancer

Like many other cancers, the stage of angiosarcoma is based on the spread of the disease. The stages of angiosarcoma vary slightly depending on the specific location of your tumor. The four stages of angiosarcoma cancer include:

• Stage 1: The tumor is small and localized, with no evidence of spreading to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs.
• Stage 2: The tumor is larger or has spread to nearby tissues, but there is still no evidence of spread to lymph nodes or distant organs.
• Stage 3: The tumor may be any size and may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes, but there is evidence of distant spreading to organs such as the lungs, liver, bones or other places.
• Stage 4: The cancer has spread extensively to distant organs or tissues, making it difficult to treat and usually indicating a poorer prognosis.

There may be further substages within each stage, based on tumor characteristics.

Diagnosing angiosarcoma breast cancer

agnosing angiosarcoma breast cancer involves a collaborative approach with a team of specialists. Your provider will review your medical history, discuss any symptoms or risk factors and conduct a physical exam, which may involve examining your breasts for lumps or masses.

Other diagnostic tests may include:

• Imaging tests: Various imaging studies such as breast ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, or PET scan may be utilized to visualize the tumor, assess its size, location, and extent of spread within the body.
• Biopsy: If a suspicious mass or lesion is identified, a biopsy is performed to obtain a tissue sample for microscopic examination. This biopsy, whether needle-based (needle biopsy) or surgical (incisional or excisional biopsy), is the most definitive method for diagnosing angiosarcoma.
• Histological examination: A pathologist examines the tissue sample obtained from the biopsy to identify characteristic features of angiosarcoma, including abnormal blood vessel formation and atypical cells.
• Additional tests: Depending on the tumor's location and extent, additional tests such as blood tests, lymph node biopsy or imaging studies of other body parts may be conducted to determine if the cancer has spread beyond its primary site.

Mammograms are not typically effective in detecting angiosarcoma.

Following confirmation of angiosarcoma diagnosis, further tests may be required to determine your cancer stage, which is crucial for guiding treatment decisions and prognosis assessment. This diagnostic process ensures accurate diagnosis and helps tailor treatment strategies specific to you.

Treatment for angiosarcoma breast cancer

Treatment for angiosarcoma is unique to you. Your tumor’s characteristics, stage and your overall health will be considered when creating your custom. treatment plant

Common treatment options include:

• Surgery: Surgery is the primary treatment for angiosarcoma breast cancer. Options include mastectomy (partial or full removal of breast tissue) or lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery). Lymph node dissection may also be performed to remove nearby lymph nodes that are affected.
• Radiation therapy: Following a lumpectomy, radiation therapy may be administered to eliminate any residual cancer cells in the breast and reduce the risk of recurrence. In some cases, radiation therapy may follow mastectomy, potentially preceding breast reconstruction surgery.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is used for more aggressive angiosarcomas that have spread to other body parts. It involves using medications to target and destroy cancer cells throughout the body.
• Targeted therapy: Certain angiosarcomas express specific molecules that can be addressed with targeted medications. These drugs aim to disrupt the formation of new blood vessels, thereby slowing tumor growth.

At Advocate Health, our multidisciplinary team adopts a collaborative approach to provide you with optimal treatment. Supportive care services such as counseling, nutrition therapy, palliative care and physical therapy are offered to address the impact cancer treatments have on your physical and emotional health.

Is angiosarcoma breast cancer curable?

Angiosarcoma of the breast has significant challenges with treatment. Despite aggressive treatment measures, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the risk of recurrence or distant spreading remains notably high for angiosarcoma.

In cases where the cancer has spread to other organs, treatment aims to manage the disease and relieve your symptoms. Therapeutic approaches may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy and other systemic treatments designed to slow disease progression and enhance your quality of life.