Groin angiosarcoma following radiotherapy for vulvar cancer.

BACKGROUND

Angiosarcomas account for less than 2% of all sarcomas. However, they represent 15% of radiotherapy-induced sarcomas, usually associated to the treatment for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lymphomas.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 56-year-old patient who developed a soft tissue angiosarcoma in the right groin 25 years after receiving radiotherapy for vulvar cancer. To our knowledge, this is the second case reported of a soft tissue angiosarcoma after radiotherapy for a vulvar cancer.

CONCLUSION

Postradiation sarcoma must be considered in patients with a history of a previous tumor when a soft tissue mass is seen in the previously irradiated field, especially if the latent period is more than 3 or 5 years. The correct histologic interpretation of such lesions is important because it may result in early identification of the secondary malignancy and may contribute to better management and improved prognosis.