Metastatic Angiosarcoma of the Scalp Presenting with Cystic Lung Lesions: A Case Report and Review of Cystic Lung Diseases

Abstract

Angiosarcomas are rare, malignant vascular tumors that affect endothelial cells of blood vessels. Angiosarcomas most commonly occur on the scalp or face of elderly individuals and are highly aggressive, with a 5-year survival rate below 15%. Cutaneous angiosarcomas often metastasize to the lung, where they can present with cystic lesions, solid lesions, pneumothorax, and/or hemothorax. We report the case of an 83-year-old woman who presented with a scalp lesion, which was initially thought to be caused by scalp trauma but was later found to be an angiosarcoma. She initially refused any therapy for the tumor. She returned several months later with a cough and shortness of breath and was found to have multiple pulmonary cysts. She was treated with paclitaxel, but her tumor did not respond to the therapy and she died 2 months later. We discuss the common presentation of cutaneous angiosarcomas and their tendency to metastasize to the lung and present as cystic lesions. We also review the common conditions that can cause cystic changes in the lungs.