What is Angiosarcoma?
A malignant and rapid growing cancer, angiosarcoma is also highly invasive. The endothelial cells that line the walls of the blood and lymphatic vessels are the location from which the tumors arise.
The endothelium layer is made up of endothelial cells that line all the blood vessels anf lymphatics. A tumor begins in this layer as a rapidly proliferating growth of immature cells that becomes cancerous and can quickly spread to other body systems.
Like most forms of cancer, angiosarcoma is uncontrolled cell replication, but its relation to the circulatory system poses unique threats to the health of any individual.
Hemangiosarcoma is a blood-fed sarcoma; that is, blood vessels grow directly into the tumor and it is typically filled with blood. Any malignant condition that affects the blood is extremely dangerous, for it is quite easy for the cancerous cells to spread cancer to other, healthy systems. Because angiosarcoma affects blood vessels, this type of cancer often proves to be aggressive, difficult to treat, and recurs often.
Lymphangiosarcoma is a tumor cell that begins in the endothelium layer of the lymphatic vessels. The lymph systems job is to distribute antibodies to the body. Any time the process is disrupted by these cancer cells it can spreads these deadly cells throughout the body.
Angiosarcomas may occur in any organ of the body, but are more frequently found in skin and soft tissue. They can originate in the liver, breast, spleen, bone or heart.
Cutaneous angiosarcoma, the most common form of angiosarcoma, is most often found in elderly persons. The tumors are primarily located on the head and neck.
Causes of most angiosarcomas are unknown. Though there are some risk factors that have been identified as leading to higher chance of developing a tumor.
However, hemangiosarcoma is known to be linked to exposure of toxins such as, thorium dioxide, vinyl chloride, or arsenic. Stewart ” Theves symptom is an example of this. Lymphedema occurs after exposure to breast care treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. It is a hemangiosarcoma
People who have received treatments like radiation and chemotherapy have a higher risk of angiosarcoma. Exposure to vinyl chloride used in polymerization in the plastic industry can lead to angiosarcomas of liver and soft tissue. Though exposure to these pre-conditions or environmental toxins may have occurred thirty years ago, people can still develop these cancerous tumors.
All Angiosarcomas tend to be aggressive. The tumors have a high local recurrence rate and often misdiagnosed, leading to a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. Malignant vascular tumors are clinically aggressive and difficult to treat, usually not responding well to traditional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.
Many researchers are examining P53, a tumor suppressor gene and its surrounding molecules. Laboratories all around the world are studying this gene. This is in hopes that new treatments will arise one day to treat this life-threatening cancer.
