Primary hepatic angiosarcoma: A retrospective analysis of 6 cases

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to define the clinical features and surgical treatment outcomes of patients with primary hepatic angiosarcoma. METHODS: Data of the 6 patients diagnosed with primary hepatic angiosarcoma in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 1999 to December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 49 years (range 45-78 years) with a male predominance. Laboratory tests showed a mild elevation of α-fetoprotein in 2 patients, and 2 had both hepatitis B and C. Liver resection was performed in all patients. For the 5 patients who received curative liver resection, the median follow-up duration was 41 months (range 23-84 months) and the overall 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 100.0%, 80.0% and 40.0%, respectively. One patient who underwent a palliative operation died of tumor progression a month after operation. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis is necessary and complete surgical resection is the key to improve prognosis.