What is angiosarcoma?

Angiosarcoma is cancer that grows in the lining of the lymph and blood vessels. It is a rare type of cancer that often grows fast. Angiosarcoma can grow anywhere in the body, but it is most commonly found in the skin, spleen, liver, and breast.

What are the symptoms of angiosarcoma?

Symptoms of angiosarcoma can vary depending on where the cancer occurs. Symptoms may include:

  • A bruised-looking purple-colored area on the skin that may bleed when scratched
  • A bruised area on the skin that gets bigger over time
  • Pain in an organ, such as the liver

How is angiosarcoma treated?

Treatments for angiosarcoma may include:

  • Surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible
  • Radiation therapy to destroy the tumor if surgery is not possible, or to help keep the cancer from growing back
  • Chemotherapy to shrink the tumor or help kill any cancer cells that have spread to other parts of your body

What are the risk factors for angiosarcoma?

Risk factors for angiosarcoma include:

  • Having had previous radiation therapy
  • Having lymphedema, a type of swelling caused by extra lymph fluid backing up in the tissues
  • Being exposed to certain chemicals that may cause cancer

Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition

department

Sarcoma Program

Welcome to the Sarcoma Program at BMC. Our expert, multidisciplinary program treats all types of sarcomas, which cancer cells grow in tissues like bone, muscle, tendons, blood ves…