Lan Zhang, MD

The Diagnosis: Cutaneous Angiosarcoma 

 

Biopsy revealed a cellular neoplasm consisting of atypical polygonal cells with a hobnailed appearance, vasoformative characteristics, and rare extravasated erythrocytes. The tumor had an infiltrative growth pattern as demonstrated by dissecting dermal collagen and a poorly defined border with adjacent normal tissue (Figure 1). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the lesion was positive for CD31 and D2-40 (Figure 2) but negative for cytokeratin, CD10, CD68, human herpesvirus 8, CD34, and Melan A, thus confirming the endothelial origin of the tumor cells and the diagnosis of cutaneous angiosarcoma (CAS). The patient was treated with extended surgical excision and radiation therapy. No recurrence or metastasis was found throughout 2 years of follow-up.  

Angiosarcoma is a highly aggressive malignant neoplasm derived from vascular endothelial cells, most commonly involving the skin and superficial soft tissue. Angiosarcoma can be subdivided into CAS and visceral angiosarcoma according to the primary site of the tumor.¹ Accurate and timely diagnosis of CAS is paramount due to its poor prognostic outcomes despite aggressive treatments. Clinically, CAS most frequently presents asymptomatically as an enlarging purple-red or bruiselike lesion with poorly defined margins. Cutaneous angiosarcoma often is misdiagnosed as an ecchymosis or hematoma due to its initial subtle presentation. It also may resemble eczema, hemangioma, and cellulitis; advanced lesions can mimic epithelial or mesenchymal neoplasms, including squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, basal cell carcinoma, atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), and malignant melanoma.² Our patient lacked the classic clinical presentation of a hematomalike lesion and characteristic histologic features of anastomosing vascular structures with abundant extravasated erythrocytes at low magnification. However, the presence of erythrocytes in vascular channels along with CD31 and D2-40 immunoreactivity confirmed its vascular origin.  
The prognosis of CAS is poor even with localized lesions. Age is a substantial prognostic factor, as a near 50% reduction of overall survival rate has been observed in patients older than 50 years.³ Other reported poor predictors for prognosis include male sex, the presence of cardiovascular diseases, location on the scalp, history of smoking, tumor size larger than 5 cm, and the presence of satellite lesions. Distant metastases are common, primarily affecting the lungs but also the bones and liver.⁴  

Radical resection with a negative margin is considered the first-line treatment of choice. Although there is a paucity of studies assessing the specific width of surgical margins, application of no less than a 3-cm peripheral margin as well as a clear deep margin is recommended.⁵ Adjuvant radiation therapy also is essential to prevent local recurrence. Patients receiving combination therapy have a superior overall survival rate when compared to those undergoing surgery or radiation therapy alone.⁴  

Cutaneous follicle center lymphoma also may present as 1 or more localized erythematous papules, plaques, and/or nodules, commonly arising on the scalp/forehead or trunk of middle-aged men. Despite being a low-grade lymphoma with a favorable prognosis, it may have a relatively fast growth and locally aggressive course if left untreated. The distinguishing histologic feature is a dense proliferation of neoplastic infiltrates in the dermis, which is separated from the epidermis by the grenz zone.⁶ 

The clinical presentation of cutaneous metastatic carcinomas varies greatly, with 1 or multiple localized or widespread lesions commonly involving the abdominal wall, scalp, and face. The lesions also may mimic benign dermatologic conditions, thus potentially resulting in erroneous clinical diagnosis and delayed therapy of the primary malignancy. Obtaining clinical history is crucial; however, a precise diagnosis may require histologic examination.⁷ 

Atypical fibroxanthoma is a rare superficial cutaneous sarcoma that typically occurs on the head and neck in sun-damaged elderly individuals. Clinically, AFX presents as well-circumscribed red or pink nodules or plaques with or without ulceration, crust, or scale.⁸ Atypical fibroxanthoma lesions usually are small, with a median diameter of 1 cm, while those greater than 2 cm reportedly account for less than 5% of cases.⁹ Atypical fibroxanthoma typically grows rapidly with no pain or discomfort. Histologically, AFX is characterized by a well-circumscribed dermal nodule consisting of pleomorphic spindle cells and multinucleated giant cells that can stain positively for CD10 and procollagen 1.¹⁰ 

Cutaneous pseudolymphoma is a benign inflammatory response process that stimulates polyclonal T- or B-cell lymphoproliferation. The clinical presentation may appear as localized or disseminated flesh-colored or red papules, infiltrated plaques, and nodules.¹¹ Histopathology will show mixtures of B and T cells along with dendritic cells and macrophages, but irregular vascular structure and dissecting dermal collagen are not involved. 

We present an unusual case of CAS with multiple pink nodules on the scalp. Early biopsy of these lesions is important to reach a correct diagnosis and to initiate appropriate treatment. 

The Diagnosis: Cutaneous Angiosarcoma 

 

Biopsy revealed a cellular neoplasm consisting of atypical polygonal cells with a hobnailed appearance, vasoformative characteristics, and rare extravasated erythrocytes. The tumor had an infiltrative growth pattern as demonstrated by dissecting dermal collagen and a poorly defined border with adjacent normal tissue (Figure 1). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the lesion was positive for CD31 and D2-40 (Figure 2) but negative for cytokeratin, CD10, CD68, human herpesvirus 8, CD34, and Melan A, thus confirming the endothelial origin of the tumor cells and the diagnosis of cutaneous angiosarcoma (CAS). The patient was treated with extended surgical excision and radiation therapy. No recurrence or metastasis was found throughout 2 years of follow-up.  

Angiosarcoma is a highly aggressive malignant neoplasm derived from vascular endothelial cells, most commonly involving the skin and superficial soft tissue. Angiosarcoma can be subdivided into CAS and visceral angiosarcoma according to the primary site of the tumor.¹ Accurate and timely diagnosis of CAS is paramount due to its poor prognostic outcomes despite aggressive treatments. Clinically, CAS most frequently presents asymptomatically as an enlarging purple-red or bruiselike lesion with poorly defined margins. Cutaneous angiosarcoma often is misdiagnosed as an ecchymosis or hematoma due to its initial subtle presentation. It also may resemble eczema, hemangioma, and cellulitis; advanced lesions can mimic epithelial or mesenchymal neoplasms, including squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, basal cell carcinoma, atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), and malignant melanoma.² Our patient lacked the classic clinical presentation of a hematomalike lesion and characteristic histologic features of anastomosing vascular structures with abundant extravasated erythrocytes at low magnification. However, the presence of erythrocytes in vascular channels along with CD31 and D2-40 immunoreactivity confirmed its vascular origin.  
The prognosis of CAS is poor even with localized lesions. Age is a substantial prognostic factor, as a near 50% reduction of overall survival rate has been observed in patients older than 50 years.³ Other reported poor predictors for prognosis include male sex, the presence of cardiovascular diseases, location on the scalp, history of smoking, tumor size larger than 5 cm, and the presence of satellite lesions. Distant metastases are common, primarily affecting the lungs but also the bones and liver.⁴  

Radical resection with a negative margin is considered the first-line treatment of choice. Although there is a paucity of studies assessing the specific width of surgical margins, application of no less than a 3-cm peripheral margin as well as a clear deep margin is recommended.⁵ Adjuvant radiation therapy also is essential to prevent local recurrence. Patients receiving combination therapy have a superior overall survival rate when compared to those undergoing surgery or radiation therapy alone.⁴  

Cutaneous follicle center lymphoma also may present as 1 or more localized erythematous papules, plaques, and/or nodules, commonly arising on the scalp/forehead or trunk of middle-aged men. Despite being a low-grade lymphoma with a favorable prognosis, it may have a relatively fast growth and locally aggressive course if left untreated. The distinguishing histologic feature is a dense proliferation of neoplastic infiltrates in the dermis, which is separated from the epidermis by the grenz zone.⁶ 

The clinical presentation of cutaneous metastatic carcinomas varies greatly, with 1 or multiple localized or widespread lesions commonly involving the abdominal wall, scalp, and face. The lesions also may mimic benign dermatologic conditions, thus potentially resulting in erroneous clinical diagnosis and delayed therapy of the primary malignancy. Obtaining clinical history is crucial; however, a precise diagnosis may require histologic examination.⁷ 

Atypical fibroxanthoma is a rare superficial cutaneous sarcoma that typically occurs on the head and neck in sun-damaged elderly individuals. Clinically, AFX presents as well-circumscribed red or pink nodules or plaques with or without ulceration, crust, or scale.⁸ Atypical fibroxanthoma lesions usually are small, with a median diameter of 1 cm, while those greater than 2 cm reportedly account for less than 5% of cases.⁹ Atypical fibroxanthoma typically grows rapidly with no pain or discomfort. Histologically, AFX is characterized by a well-circumscribed dermal nodule consisting of pleomorphic spindle cells and multinucleated giant cells that can stain positively for CD10 and procollagen 1.¹⁰ 

Cutaneous pseudolymphoma is a benign inflammatory response process that stimulates polyclonal T- or B-cell lymphoproliferation. The clinical presentation may appear as localized or disseminated flesh-colored or red papules, infiltrated plaques, and nodules.¹¹ Histopathology will show mixtures of B and T cells along with dendritic cells and macrophages, but irregular vascular structure and dissecting dermal collagen are not involved. 

We present an unusual case of CAS with multiple pink nodules on the scalp. Early biopsy of these lesions is important to reach a correct diagnosis and to initiate appropriate treatment. 

The Diagnosis: Cutaneous Angiosarcoma 

 

Biopsy revealed a cellular neoplasm consisting of atypical polygonal cells with a hobnailed appearance, vasoformative characteristics, and rare extravasated erythrocytes. The tumor had an infiltrative growth pattern as demonstrated by dissecting dermal collagen and a poorly defined border with adjacent normal tissue (Figure 1). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the lesion was positive for CD31 and D2-40 (Figure 2) but negative for cytokeratin, CD10, CD68, human herpesvirus 8, CD34, and Melan A, thus confirming the endothelial origin of the tumor cells and the diagnosis of cutaneous angiosarcoma (CAS). The patient was treated with extended surgical excision and radiation therapy. No recurrence or metastasis was found throughout 2 years of follow-up.  

Angiosarcoma is a highly aggressive malignant neoplasm derived from vascular endothelial cells, most commonly involving the skin and superficial soft tissue. Angiosarcoma can be subdivided into CAS and visceral angiosarcoma according to the primary site of the tumor.¹ Accurate and timely diagnosis of CAS is paramount due to its poor prognostic outcomes despite aggressive treatments. Clinically, CAS most frequently presents asymptomatically as an enlarging purple-red or bruiselike lesion with poorly defined margins. Cutaneous angiosarcoma often is misdiagnosed as an ecchymosis or hematoma due to its initial subtle presentation. It also may resemble eczema, hemangioma, and cellulitis; advanced lesions can mimic epithelial or mesenchymal neoplasms, including squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, basal cell carcinoma, atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), and malignant melanoma.² Our patient lacked the classic clinical presentation of a hematomalike lesion and characteristic histologic features of anastomosing vascular structures with abundant extravasated erythrocytes at low magnification. However, the presence of erythrocytes in vascular channels along with CD31 and D2-40 immunoreactivity confirmed its vascular origin.  
The prognosis of CAS is poor even with localized lesions. Age is a substantial prognostic factor, as a near 50% reduction of overall survival rate has been observed in patients older than 50 years.³ Other reported poor predictors for prognosis include male sex, the presence of cardiovascular diseases, location on the scalp, history of smoking, tumor size larger than 5 cm, and the presence of satellite lesions. Distant metastases are common, primarily affecting the lungs but also the bones and liver.⁴  

Radical resection with a negative margin is considered the first-line treatment of choice. Although there is a paucity of studies assessing the specific width of surgical margins, application of no less than a 3-cm peripheral margin as well as a clear deep margin is recommended.⁵ Adjuvant radiation therapy also is essential to prevent local recurrence. Patients receiving combination therapy have a superior overall survival rate when compared to those undergoing surgery or radiation therapy alone.⁴  

Cutaneous follicle center lymphoma also may present as 1 or more localized erythematous papules, plaques, and/or nodules, commonly arising on the scalp/forehead or trunk of middle-aged men. Despite being a low-grade lymphoma with a favorable prognosis, it may have a relatively fast growth and locally aggressive course if left untreated. The distinguishing histologic feature is a dense proliferation of neoplastic infiltrates in the dermis, which is separated from the epidermis by the grenz zone.⁶ 

The clinical presentation of cutaneous metastatic carcinomas varies greatly, with 1 or multiple localized or widespread lesions commonly involving the abdominal wall, scalp, and face. The lesions also may mimic benign dermatologic conditions, thus potentially resulting in erroneous clinical diagnosis and delayed therapy of the primary malignancy. Obtaining clinical history is crucial; however, a precise diagnosis may require histologic examination.⁷ 

Atypical fibroxanthoma is a rare superficial cutaneous sarcoma that typically occurs on the head and neck in sun-damaged elderly individuals. Clinically, AFX presents as well-circumscribed red or pink nodules or plaques with or without ulceration, crust, or scale.⁸ Atypical fibroxanthoma lesions usually are small, with a median diameter of 1 cm, while those greater than 2 cm reportedly account for less than 5% of cases.⁹ Atypical fibroxanthoma typically grows rapidly with no pain or discomfort. Histologically, AFX is characterized by a well-circumscribed dermal nodule consisting of pleomorphic spindle cells and multinucleated giant cells that can stain positively for CD10 and procollagen 1.¹⁰ 

Cutaneous pseudolymphoma is a benign inflammatory response process that stimulates polyclonal T- or B-cell lymphoproliferation. The clinical presentation may appear as localized or disseminated flesh-colored or red papules, infiltrated plaques, and nodules.¹¹ Histopathology will show mixtures of B and T cells along with dendritic cells and macrophages, but irregular vascular structure and dissecting dermal collagen are not involved. 

We present an unusual case of CAS with multiple pink nodules on the scalp. Early biopsy of these lesions is important to reach a correct diagnosis and to initiate appropriate treatment.