Treatment and Prognosis of Radiation-Associated Breast Angiosarcoma in a Nationwide Population

Samuli H Salminen,Lea Pulliainen,Carl P Blomqvist,Katja Hukkinen,Erkki Tukiainen,Maija Tarkkanen,Tom Wiklund,Mika M Sampo,Tom O Böhling

doi:10.1245/s10434-019-08085-1

Abstract

BackgroundRadiation-associated angiosarcoma of the breast (RAASB) is an aggressive malignancy that is increasing in incidence. Only a few previous population-based studies have reported the results of RAASB treatment.MethodsA search for RAASB patients was carried out in the Finnish Cancer Registry, and treatment data were collected to identify prognostic factors for survival.ResultsOverall, 50 RAASB patients were identified. The median follow-up time was 5.4 years (range 0.4–15.6), and the 5-year overall survival rate was 69%. Forty-seven (94%) patients were operated on with curative intent. Among these patients, the 5-year local recurrence-free survival, distant recurrence-free survival, and overall survival rates were 62%, 75%, and 74%, respectively. A larger planned surgical margin was associated with improved survival.ConclusionsWe found that the majority of RAASB patients were eligible for radical surgical management in this population-based analysis. With radical surgery, the prognosis is relatively good.

Highlights

Radiation-associated angiosarcoma of the breast (RAASB) is an aggressive malignancy that is increasing in incidence
Our search of the Finnish Cancer Registry (FCR) yielded a total of 50 patients with RAASB; all patients were Caucasian
RAASB properties and treatment data are summarized in Tables 2 and 3

Summary

Introduction

Radiation-associated angiosarcoma of the breast (RAASB) is an aggressive malignancy that is increasing in incidence. A few previous populationbased studies have reported the results of RAASB treatment. A search for RAASB patients was carried out in the Finnish Cancer Registry, and treatment data were collected to identify prognostic factors for survival. The median follow-up time was 5.4 years (range 0.4–15.6), and the 5-year overall survival rate was 69%. Forty-seven (94%) patients were operated on with curative intent. Among these patients, the 5-year local recurrence-free survival, distant recurrence-free survival, and overall survival rates were 62%, 75%, and 74%, respectively. A larger planned surgical margin was associated with improved survival. We found that the majority of RAASB patients were eligible for radical surgical management in this population-based analysis.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion