Cutaneous angiosarcomas

Background and Objectives. Angiosarcomas of the skin arise almost exclusively in the following clinical settings: 1.the face and scalp, usually in elderly individuals, 2. lymphedematous regions (lymphedema-associated angiosarcomas), and 3.skin that has been previously irrradiated (post-radiation angiosarcomas). Clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of angiosarcoma is difficult often resulting in great delay that obviates against early and possibly successful treatment of these very aggressive neoplasms. Diagnostic problems are described, and prognostic factors as well as the effect of different forms of treatment on the outcome are discussed