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Angiosarcoma with Pulmonary Metastasis Presenting with Spontaneous Bilateral Pneumothorax in an Elderly Man

Authors :
Wei Chen
Chih-Shiun Shih
Yao-Tung Wang
Guan-Chin Tseng
Wu-Huei Hsu
Source :
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, Vol 105, Iss 3, Pp 238-241 (2006)
Publication Year :
2006
Publisher :
Elsevier, 2006.

Abstract

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare and invasive endothelial-derived sarcoma that occurs most frequently in the scalp and facial skin of elderly men. It is frequently accompanied by thin-walled cavitary pulmonary metastasis, and is often obscure on chest radiograph. We report a case of angiosarcoma of the scalp with cystic metastasis to the lung in a 63-year-old man, presenting as recurrent bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. Lung metastasis was missed at the first episode of pneumothorax because the lung-expanded chest radiograph showed no significant abnormality. Two months later, bilateral pneumothorax recurred, and high-resolution computed tomography revealed multiple cystic, cavitary and nodular lesions. Pulmonary metastasis was confirmed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and pleurodesis was performed. After the operation, the patient received chemotherapy; no recurrence of pneumothorax was found during 6 months of follow-up. Pneumothorax in the elderly should be differentiated from malignant metastatic lung tumors.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09296646
Volume :
105
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.3da22a2ca8bb42a389280cef771cbd0c
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0929-6646(09)60312-0