Is angiosarcoma curable?
Angiosarcoma is a rare and deadly malignancy originating from the vascular endothelial cells. Surgery is the most effective method to cure this disease, but for metastatic angiosarcoma, a chemotherapy-based treatment is the main therapeutic choice.
How many people get angiosarcoma a year?
For every million people, one will be diagnosed with angiosarcoma per year in the U.S. Angiosarcomas make up about 1% to 2% of all sarcomas. They are most common in people over the age of 70 but can happen at any age.
What is angiosarcoma caused by?
The most widely known cause of angiosarcoma is lymphedema, the swelling of an area of the body due to the collection of fluid. Angiosarcoma can also occur due to radiation exposure or treatment, and angiosarcoma has been associated with carcinogens such as vinyl chloride, arsenic and thorium dioxide.
What are symptoms of angiosarcoma?
Signs and symptoms of this form of angiosarcoma include:
- A raised, purplish area of skin that looks like a bruise.
- A bruise-like lesion that grows larger over time.
- A lesion that may bleed when scratched or bumped.
- Swelling in the surrounding skin.
How does angiosarcoma start?
What is the difference between sarcoma and angiosarcoma?
Angiosarcoma is a form of soft tissue sarcoma. It is a rare cancer in which the cells that make up the lining of the blood vessels grow and multiply abnormally to form a tumor. Angiosarcoma is more common in people over 50.
What does angiosarcoma do to the body?
Angiosarcoma is cancer that forms in the lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels. It often affects the skin and may appear as a bruise-like lesion that grows over time.
Where can I find out more about my angiosarcoma?
There is a LOT of information about your angiosarcoma (as well as other forms) available through our “Angiosarcoma Awareness” support group, and I believe we have one if not more members who live in the UK. You can find us either through Facebook (search under groups for “Angiosarcoma Cancer”) and through our non-profit website: www.cureasc.org
Is angiosarcoma a rare cancer?
Angiosarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in the inner lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels. This cancer can occur anywhere in the body but most often is in the skin, breast, liver and spleen. How common is angiosarcoma?
How does angiosarcoma affect the body?
Your lymph vessels, which are part of your immune system, collect bacteria, viruses and waste products from your body and dispose of them. Angiosarcoma can occur anywhere in your body, but it most often occurs in the skin on your head and neck.
What are the risk factors for angiosarcoma?
We know that some risk factors for getting angiosarcoma include: 1 Lymphedema, a problem in which extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues, causing swelling, usually in the arms or legs 2 Past radiation therapy, such as treatment for breast cancer or Hodgkin lymphoma 3 Exposure to some cancer-causing chemicals