Primary hepatic angiosarcoma: A retrospective analysis of eight cases

Angiosarcoma is a malignant tumor of vascular endothelial cell origin. Primary hepatic angiosarcoma is rare, most often associated with chronic exposure to toxic substances. The diagnosis of angiosarcoma is based on histological examination. Presenting symptoms are nonspecific, including abdominal pain, impaired general condition and fever. Primary hepatic angiosarcoma is a fast-growing tumor and the diagnosis is usually made at an advanced stage of the disease. The prognosis is poor. Surgical resection is recommended as the curative choice in localized forms, highlighting the key role of screening programs of occupational medicine that may help to diagnose tumors at an earlier, localized stage. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are considered to have a limited efficacy. Here, we report a series of eight cases of primary hepatic angiosarcoma diagnosed at the University Hospital of Besancon between 2001 and 2012. Clinical, radiological, histological and therapeutic characteristics of the patients are described and analyzed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.