Primary angiosarcoma of the lung and pleura is a rare, highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe hemoptysis.
Warrants considering primary angiosarcoma in the differential diagnosis of severe hemopt.
A 46 year old male smoker was admitted for severe continuing hemoptysis. Chest-X-rays and chest computed tomography revealed nodular infiltrates and bilateral hemothorax. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy resulted to non-diagnostic cytological and microbiological findings. Open lung and pleural biopsies after right thoracotomy revealed epithelioid angiosarcoma and further staging assessment showed secondary brain and liver foci. The patient received several courses of chemotherapy but he died one month later. The clinical, radiological, pathological, histochemical and therapeutic aspects of the disease are discussed. Angiosarcoma, a rare tumour with poor prognosis should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of hemoptysis.
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Maglaras et al. (2004) studied this question.
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