An unusual angiosarcoma - A case report

Objective: To document a retroperitoneal angiosarcoma with a 12-year disease-free period. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 50-year-old farmer was referred to the Urology Clinic, Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait, with a 1-year history of recurrent left renal colic. Radiological investigations revealed 2 renal cysts at the lower pole and an extrarenal soft tissue mass, presumably of adrenal origin, at the upper pole. Laparotomy confirmed both the renal cysts and a circumscribed soft tissue mass. The latter was separate from the adrenal gland but had a vascular connection with an adrenal vessel. Pathological examination showed an encapsulated angiosarcoma. The patient did not have any adjuvant therapy after surgery but was followed up with annual radiological investigations for 12 years. No evidence of recurrence or metastasis was seen. Conclusion: The 12-year disease-free period in this case is exceptional for angiosarcomas, which is a high-grade sarcoma. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.