John Libbey Eurotext




Angiosarcoma of the face and scalp
European Journal of Dermatology. Volume 11, Number 3, 261-3, May - June 2001, Votre diagnostic !
Free Article
Author(s) : L.Y. Chan, W.Y.M. Tang, W.Y. Lam, K.K. Lo
Summary : An 88-year-old man presented with a two year history of a progressively enlarging, asymptomatic red patch over the left face. He was referred for dermatological consultation after failed systemic antibiotic treatment for "cellulitis" by the general physicians. He enjoyed good general health except for mild diabetes mellitus which was well controlled with glipizide 80 mg bd. Physical examination revealed an infiltrative, oedematous, dusky erythematous plaque involving a large area of the left face (Fig. 1). Cervical lymphadenopathy was not detectable. Skin biopsy of the lesion was performed which revealed a malignant skin condition. He received radiotherapy but died two months after diagnosis. Another male patient, 81-years-old, presented with a progressively enlarging growth over the scalp for two months (Fig. 2). He had been suffering from hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, gout and hyperlipidaemia. Examination revealed a 3.5 x 1.8 cm eroded fleshy tumour over the left side of the vertex. There was no cervical lymphadenopathy. Diagnostic skin biopsy was taken and revealed the same condition as in patient 1. He was treated with surgical excision and post-operative radiotherapy. He eventually succumbed two years after diagnosis due to brain metastasis. What is your diagnosis?
Keywords :

Angiosarcoma of the face and scalp