vascular cancer

Vascular Cancer: A Rare and Aggressive Form of Cancer

Vascular cancer, also known as angiosarcoma, is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that develops in the lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels. This type of cancer can occur anywhere in the body, although it most often forms in the skin (particularly on the scalp and face), breasts, liver, and spleen.

Characteristics of Vascular Cancer

• Rare: Vascular cancer is a rare form of cancer, accounting for only 1-2% of all soft tissue sarcomas.
• Aggressive: This type of cancer grows quickly and can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
• Can occur anywhere in the body: Vascular cancer can develop in any part of the body, including organs, skin, and tissues below the skin.

Types of Vascular Cancer

• Angiosarcoma: This is the most common type of vascular cancer, which develops in the inner lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels.
• Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: A rare and aggressive form of vascular cancer that can occur in any part of the body.

Symptoms of Vascular Cancer

• Pain or swelling: The affected area may become painful or swollen due to the growth of the tumor.
• Changes in skin color: The skin overlying the tumor may change color, becoming red, purple, or blue.
• Bleeding or bruising: The tumor can cause bleeding or bruising in the affected area.

Treatment Options

• Surgery: Surgical removal of the tumor is often the first line of treatment for vascular cancer.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy may be used to destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be recommended if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

References

• [1] Angiosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that forms in the lining of the blood vessels and lymph vessels. (Search result 1)
• [2] Vascular tumors include all neoplasms that demonstrate endothelium-lined channels and contain red blood cells (erythrocytes). (Search result 3)
• [3] Angiosarcoma is a rare type of soft tissue cancer that develops in the lining of blood and lymph vessels. (Search result 13)

Vascular Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Vascular cancer, also known as angiosarcoma, is a rare type of cancer that begins in the blood vessels and lymph vessels. The signs and symptoms of this cancer can vary depending on where it occurs in the body.

• Skin Angiosarcoma: A skin angiosarcoma may look like a bruised or purple-ish area on the skin, which may bleed easily when scratched or bumped [4]. It can also appear as a painless lump or mass in soft tissue of the body [5].
• Internal Angiosarcoma: Internal angiosarcomas can develop anywhere in the body, including organs. They most often occur in the liver or spleen, or in the chest or breast [3]. Small tumors or those deep in the body might not cause any symptoms.
• Common Symptoms: A common sign of angiosarcoma is a painless lump or mass in soft tissue of the body [5]. Other symptoms may include heavy legs, itching, swelling, pain, ulcers, and skin discoloration [7].
• Rare Symptoms: In rare cases, vascular cancer can cause more severe symptoms such as stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) due to carotid artery aneurysm [6].

Important Notes

• The symptoms of vascular cancer can be similar to those of other conditions, making it essential to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis.
• Early detection and treatment are crucial in managing this rare type of cancer.

References:

[3] - These vascular tumors can develop anywhere in the body, including organs. They most often occur in skin of the head and neck, in the liver or spleen, or in the chest or breast.

[4] - Feb 27, 2019 — Angiosarcomas often look like a bruised, purple-ish area on the skin. These areas may bleed easily when they are scratched or bumped.

[5] - A common sign of angiosarcoma is a painless lump or mass in soft tissue of the body. This mass can be large or small, and can grow in size over time.

[6] - Carotid body tumors: Palpitations, high blood pressure, sweating and headaches. Carotid artery aneurysm: Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke)

[7] - Feb 19, 2024 — These twisting and bulging veins often lead to the development of several symptoms, such as heavy legs, itching, swelling, pain, ulcers, and skin discoloration.

Vascular Cancer Diagnostic Tests

Vascular cancer, also known as angiosarcoma, can be challenging to diagnose due to its rarity and non-specific symptoms. However, various diagnostic tests can help identify the condition.

• Ultrasound: A peripheral vascular ultrasound uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow and possible blockage or clots in the arteries or veins of your legs or arms [1]. Duplex ultrasound is a mainstay of vascular testing, examining blood flow patterns in your blood vessels [2].
• Vascular Ultrasound: This painless, noninvasive test uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the blood vessels [3].
• Imaging Tests: Tests like MRI and CT scans of the affected area can help determine the location and characteristics (size and aggressiveness) of the tumor [4]. These tests can also help identify any potential blockages or clots in the blood vessels.
• Angiogram: This test uses x-ray examination with an injection of contrast material to visualize the blood vessels and detect any abnormalities [5].
• Other Tests: Additional tests, such as CT scan, Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), and MRI, can also be used to diagnose vascular cancer [6].

It's essential to note that a combination of these diagnostic tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of vascular cancer.

References: [1] A peripheral vascular ultrasound uses ultrasound imaging to evaluate the blood flow and possible blockage or clots in the arteries or veins of your legs or arms. [2] Duplex ultrasound is a mainstay of vascular testing. This test uses sound waves to examine blood flow patterns in your blood vessels. [3] A vascular ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the blood vessels. [4] Imaging Tests: Tests like MRI and CT scans of the affected area can help determine the location and characteristics like size and aggressiveness of the tumor. [5] Ultrasound can help your doctor evaluate blood flow and identify blocked arteries. Venography, which is when x-ray examination is used with an injection of contrast material to visualize the blood vessels. [6] Oct 1, 2024 — Vascular screenings use ultrasound technology to look for signs of blockages that could cause problems with blood flow, leading to serious complications.

Treatment Options for Vascular Cancer

Vascular cancer, also known as childhood vascular tumors, can be treated using various drug therapies. According to recent studies [4][5], targeted therapy drugs such as thalidomide, sorafenib, and pazopanib are used to treat this type of cancer.

How Do These Drugs Work?

These antiangiogenic agents work by blocking the growth of blood vessels that support tumor growth rather than targeting the cancer cells directly [1]. This approach is unique in cancer treatment as it starves the tumor of its needed blood supply, preventing it from growing and spreading.

Examples of Anti-Angiogenic Drugs Used

Some examples of anti-angiogenic drugs used to treat vascular cancer include:

• Bevacizumab, which blocks the VEGF protein and stops the cancer from growing new blood vessels [7]
• Sunitinib, Sorafenib, Axitinib, Tanibirumab, and Ramucirumab, which are approved for the treatment of advanced and metastatic vascular tumors [8]

Combination Therapy

While anti-angiogenic drugs have shown promise in treating vascular cancer, they may not be enough to eradicate the tumor on their own. Combination therapy with chemotherapy or immunotherapy could provide a more effective treatment approach [13].

Future Directions

Researchers are continually exploring new ways to improve the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic agents and combination therapies. Improving imaging techniques to better measure changes in blood flow and other physiological parameters is also an area of focus [9].

Differential Diagnosis of Vascular Cancer

Vascular cancer, also known as malignant vascular tumors, can be challenging to diagnose due to its rarity and similarity in appearance to other vascular lesions. The differential diagnosis of vascular cancer involves considering various conditions that may present with similar symptoms and characteristics.

Common Differential Diagnoses:

• Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma: A rare, low-grade malignant tumor that can be difficult to distinguish from benign epithelioid hemangiomas.
• Angiosarcoma: A high-grade malignant tumor that can be challenging to differentiate from other vascular lesions, such as epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.
• Kaposi Sarcoma: A rare, aggressive cancer that can present with similar symptoms to vascular cancer.
• Cutaneous Angiosarcoma: A rare, high-grade malignant tumor that can be difficult to distinguish from other vascular lesions.

Key Diagnostic Features:

• Imaging Studies: Radiographic studies, such as MRI and CT scans, may be necessary to rule out other conditions and confirm the presence of a vascular lesion.
• Histopathology: Tissue biopsy and histological examination are essential for accurate diagnosis and differentiation from other vascular lesions.
• Molecular Testing: Genetic testing can help identify specific mutations associated with vascular cancer.

Clinical Presentation:

• Painless Mass: Vascular cancer often presents as a painless mass or swelling in the affected area.
• Skin Changes: Skin changes, such as redness, warmth, and tenderness, may be present.
• Systemic Symptoms: In advanced cases, systemic symptoms, such as weight loss, fatigue, and fever, may occur.

References:

• [3] The differential diagnosis for cutaneous malignant vascular lesions of the head and neck include Kaposi sarcoma and cutaneous angiosarcoma, with the latter being a rare and aggressive cancer.
• [8] Differential diagnosis of malignant vascular tumors can be often quite challenging, either at the low end of the spectrum, distinguishing an epithelioid hemangioendothelioma from an epithelioid hemangioma, or at the high-grade end of the spectrum, between an angiosarcoma and a malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.
• [11] Differential diagnosis of malignant vascular tumors can be often quite challenging, either at the low end of the spectrum, distinguishing an epithelioid hemangioendothelioma from an epithelioid hemangioma, or at the high-grade end of the spectrum, between an angiosarcoma and a malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.