Primary angiosarcoma of the lung

Introduction: Angiosarcomas are uncommon neoplasias, normally located in th e skin, liver or heart. Primary angiosarcoma of the lung is rare. Case repo rt: We report on a 41-year-old patient who presented increasing dyspnea. A 10-cm-angiosarcoma of the inferior lobe of the left lung was detected. Afte r preoperative chemo- and radiotherapy the patient was referred to our clin ic for surgical intervention. Resection of the inferior lobe of the lung, r esection of part of the diaphragm, lymphadenectomy and replacement with a V ypro-II (R) mesh was performed. Histological examination showed a mesenchym al neoplasia with myxoid tumor tissue, variable cell density and small prol iferations of vessels. The immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the diagn osis of an angiosarcoma. The patient was discharged in a good general state for further ambulatory radiochemotherapy. Discussion: Angiosarcoma of the lung must always be included in the differential diagnosis of lung nodules and diffuse infiltrates despite its rare occurrence. Success with neoadjuva nt therapy has been reported, but radical resection is recommended due to t he cumulative bad prognosis.