Two cases of head and neck angiosarcoma

Abstract

Angiosarcoma is a rare but highly aggressive malignant tumor that accounts for 2-3% of all soft tissue sarcomas. We experienced two cases of head and neck angiosarcoma. The first was a case of angiosarcoma originally arising in the right parotid gland. Despite surgical treatment for the tumor, it recurred and progressed in a few months. The patient died of lung metastases followed by the pneumothorax. The second case visited our institution with primary angiosarcoma of the lower gingiva. Since this tumor also showed remarkably rapid growth, semi-urgent surgical treatment was chosen without reconstructive surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy using paclitaxel. The patient remains alive with no recurrence for more than three years. As its clinical features are aggressive, prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential.