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Invisible Enemy in the Heart: Why is cardiovascular sarcoma so deadly?
Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that originates from endothelial cells in blood vessels or lymphatic vessels.Because it originates from the internal structure of blood vessels, this tumor can occur almost anywhere in the body regardless of age, but is usually more susceptible to infection in the elderly.According to statistics, the skin is the most widely affected area, accounting for about 60% of cases, and 50% of cases appear on the scalp, but these cases are still less than 0.1% of head and neck tumors.
Because cardiac angiosarcoma is a general term covering a variety of different origins and locations, the relevant symptoms vary greatly and may range from completely asymptomatic to nonspecific symptoms such as skin lesions, ulcers, shortness of breath or abdominal pain.At the time of diagnosis, multiple organs are involved are very common, which makes it difficult for doctors to determine the origin of the tumor and its treatment name.
The causes of cardiac hemangiosarcoma are not yet clear, but there are several known risk factors, such as chronic lymphedema, radiation therapy, and exposure to certain chemicals such as arsenic and vinyl chloride.
In addition, long-standing foreign bodies and breast implants have also been reported to be associated with cardiovascular sarcoma.Studies have shown that ultraviolet radiation and local immunity may play a role in its pathogenesis.Cardiac angiosarcoma can be found through MRI, CT and ultrasound examination, but due to its similarity with other cancers, it is often necessary to confirm the diagnosis through biopsy and immunohistochemical analysis.
Treatment usually includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and usually the three need to be used in combination.Because these tumors originate from vascular endothelial cells, they can be easily metastasized to the distal end, such as the liver and lungs, making them extremely lethal, and early diagnosis is crucial for survival.Even after treatment, the prognosis is still poor, with a five-year survival rate of only 30% to 38%.The prognosis of cardiac angiosarcoma and liver is even more pessimistic, and the survival period may be as short as three months.
Classification of cardiac angiosarcoma
The classification of cardiac hemangiosarcoma is based on its origin and potential risk factors. There is currently no comprehensive classification data, but some pathological reports have further discussed this.
Primary skin cardiovascular sarcoma
This type of sarcoma appears on the skin and usually does not have potential risk factors such as lymphedema or radiation therapy.
Lymphoedema-related cardiovascular sarcoma
Also known as Stewart-Treeves syndrome, it is a lymphocytic cardiovascular sarcoma caused by chronic lymphedema.
Pathic organ cardiac angiosarcoma
Accept in parenchymal organs such as the liver, breast or heart, accounting for about 40% of cardiovascular sarcoma.
Primary breast cardioangiosarcoma
This refers to cardiac angiosarcoma caused by no underlying factors in the breast, which is relatively rare, accounting for only 0.04% of breast tumors and 8% of breast sarcoma.Palpable mass usually forms, with a bad prognosis, with a five-year survival rate ranging from 8% to 50%.
Recurrent breast cardiovascular sarcoma
This type of tumor is formed in the breast due to potential factors such as radiation therapy, and is usually accompanied by a poor prognosis.
Primary cerebral cardiovascular sarcoma
This type of tumor is extremely rare and generally has a poor prognosis.
Primary cardiac cardiovascular sarcoma
This type of tumor is formed in the heart. Although it is very rare, the most common among malignant primary heart tumors is cardiac angiosarcoma, and it is usually shown with symptoms such as chest pain.
Primary liver cardiovascular sarcoma
This is the third common type of cancer in the liver, but it only accounts for 0.1%-2.0% of all liver cancers, and its prognosis is extremely poor.
Other Deep Soft Tissue Cardiac Angiosarcoma
This type of tumor occurs in deep soft tissues, such as adipose tissue and muscles, accounting for about 10% of the disease.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Specific cardiovascular sarcoma may appear to be bruised in the early stages, accompanied by features such as skin lumps, which may delay the correct diagnosis and treatment.Symptoms of cardiac angiosarcoma such as shortness of breath, chest pain and anemia related symptoms, and the main metastasis is the blood, and the most common metastasis is the lungs, which can be characterized by pathological manifestations such as pleural effusion.
The diagnosis of cardiac hemangiosarcoma is often difficult, and due to its asymptomatic or nonspecific symptoms, the initial diagnosis is usually done by MRI, CT or ultrasound.However, final confirmation depends on biopsy and subsequent histological analysis.
As the number of cases of cardioangiosarcoma continues to increase, its global influence cannot be underestimated.In today's situation, should we pay more attention to and strengthen research and prevention measures for this hidden and dangerous cancer?
