| Angiosarcoma | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-O: | M9120/3 |
| eMedicine | med/138 |
| MeSH | D006394 |
Angiosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm of vessel walls. This may be in reference to blood or lymphatic vessels.
The term angiosarcoma is avoided in medical practice, as it does not define the tissue origin of the tumour precisely enough. Clinicians use more specific terms (for instance, Lymphangiosarcoma or Haemangiosarcoma) when describing tumours of vessel wall origin. The term is, however, used commonly in the United States and Canada when defining tumour type to patients and lay staff, as it has been felt the more specific terms descend too much into medical jargon.
Their location typically readily permits metastases to distant sites. Most tumours of visceral blood and lymphatic vessel walls are malignant. Neoplasia of superficial vessel tissues (for instance those in the vessels of the skin) usually carries a more favourable prognosis due to the reduced risk of malignancy, and the accessibility of the tumour site for treatment. However, haemangiosarcomas and lymphangiosarcomas of the skin are not uncommon.
Angiosarcoma of the liver, a rare fatal tumor, has been seen in workers intensively exposed to vinyl chloride for prolonged periods in polymerization plants. It has also been associated with individuals exposed to arsenic containing insecticides and Thorotrast.
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