The clinical study of epithelioid angiosarcoma in deep soft tissue
To analyze the histopathology of, surgery for, and prognosis (survival rate, local recurrence rate, metastases rate, function) of epithelioid angiosarcoma (EA). Seven patients diagnosed as EA were received treatment in our department from May 2001 to May 2011. According Enneking staging, 3 patients were classified as IIA, 3 for IIB, and 1 for III. Wide excision was performed in 3 patients and amputation in 4 patients. Seven patients were followed up from 3 to 20 months. One patient had local recurrence 3 months after wide excision. Five patients had metastases at 4 to 20 months postoperatively. The cumulative survival rate at 0.5, 1 and 2 years postoperatively were 67%, 22% and 0. The function of 3 patients after limb salvage operation was good in 2 cases and poor in 1 case. The tumor site, surgical staging, and safe margin were crucial factors affecting survival rate. The prognosis of EA in deep soft tissue was poor. Customized, multimodality treatment and safe margin in operation may increase the survival rate as well as decrease recurrence and metastasis.