Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Angiosarcoma of the Thyroid: a Case Report with Review of the Literature

  • Published:
Endocrine Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive tumor of the thyroid gland, mainly seen in the Alpine regions. We present such a case with literature review. We present the case of a 60-year-old man with cough, dyspnea, and hemoptysis along with slow increase in the size of his long-standing goiter. Computed tomography of the neck showed a large thyroid mass and chest imaging revealed multiple pulmonary nodules. Fine needle aspiration cytology and tru-cut biopsy of the thyroid were notable for poorly differentiated malignant cells. Diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the thyroid was made after total thyroidectomy. Patient died of continued hemoptysis and respiratory failure 3 weeks after admission. We searched the literature for previous case reports using Pubmed and Ovid. Forty-seven reported cases were identified and our case was added to make a database of 48 cases. Demographic and tumor characteristics were analyzed. Angiosarcoma was found to be more common in females and at age of 60 or above. Results were consistent with previously reported series of 14 and 17 cases from Austria. This review provides information on various characteristics angiosarcoma of the thyroid which can be used as baseline data for future reference and research studies for this cancer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ryska A, Ludvikova M, Szepe P, Boor A (2004) Epithelioid haemangiosarcoma of the thyroid gland. Report of six cases from a non-Alpine region. Histopathology 44:40–46

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Papotti M, Volante M, Negro F, Eusebi V, Bussolati G (2000) Thyroglobulin mRNA expression helps to distinguish anaplastic carcinoma from angiosarcoma of the thyroid. Virchows Arch 437: 635–642

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Petronella P, Freda F, Ferretti M, Fierro D, Scorzelli M, Canonico S. (2011) Angiosarcoma of the thyroid in an old man. BMC Geriatrics. 11(Suppl 1):A48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Eusebi V, Carcangiu ML, Dina R, Rosai J. (1990) Keratin-positive epithelioid angiosarcoma of the thyroid: A report of four cases. Am J Surg Pathol;14:737–747

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Cutlan RT, Greer JE, Wong FS, Eltorky M. (2000) Immunohistochemical Characterization of Thyroid Gland Angiomatoid Tumors. Experimental and Molecular Pathology 69,159–164

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Chan YF, Ma L, Boey JH, Yeung HY. (1986) Angiosarcoma of the thyroid. An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of a case in a Chinese patient. Cancer;57(12):2381–2388.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kim NR, Ko YH, Sung CO. (2003) A case of coexistent angiosarcoma and follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. J Korean Med Sci;18(6):908–913.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Goh SG, Chuah KL, Goh HK, Chen YY. (2003) Two cases of epithelioid angiosarcoma involving the thyroid and a brief review of non-Alpine epithelioid angiosarcoma of the thyroid. Arch Pathol Lab Med;127(2):E70–73.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Astl J, Duskova J, Limanova Z, Povysil C, Kuchynkova Z. (2000) Hemangiosarcoma of the Thyroid Gland. A case report. Neuro Endocrinol Lett;21(3):213–216.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Lamovec J, Zidar A, Zidanik B. (1994) Epithelioid angiosarcoma of the thyroid gland. Report of two cases. Arch Pathol Lab Med;118(6):642–646.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Chesky VE, Dreese WC, Hellwig CA.(1953) Hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid: Review of the literature and report of a case. J Clin Endocrinol; 13(7):801–808.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Maiorana A, Collina G, Cesinaro AM, Fano RA, Eusebi V. (1996) Angiomatoid carcinoma of the thyroid: clinicopathological analysis of seven cases from non-Alpine areas. Virchows Arch;429:131–137.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Yilmazlar T, Kirdak T, Adim S, Ozturk E, Yerci O (2005). A case of hemangiosarcoma in thyroid with severe anemia due to bone marrow metastasis. Endocr J 52:57–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Hassan I, Barth P, Celik I, HoVmann S, Langer P, Ramaswamy A, Wagner HJ, Rothmund M, Zielke A (2005). An authentic malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid: a case report and review of the literature. Thyroid 15:1377–1381

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Lin O, Gerhard R, Coelho Siqueira SA, de Castro IV (2002) Cytologic findings of epithelioid angiosarcoma of the thyroid. A case report. Acta Cytol 46:767–771

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Tanda F, Massarelli G, Bosincu L, Cossu A. (1988) Angiosarcoma of the thyroid: A light, electron microscopic and histoimmunological study. Hum Pathol; 19:742–745

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Isa NM, James DT, Saw TH, Pennisi R, Gough I. (2009) Primary Angiosarcoma of the Thyroid Gland With Recurrence Diagnosed by Fine Needle Aspiration: A Case Report. Diagn Cytopathol 37(6): 427–432

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Bandorski D, Arps H, Jaspersen D, Diehl KL (2002) Severe intestinal bleeding caused by intestinal metastases of a primary angiosarcoma of the thyroid gland. Z Gastroenterol. 2002; 40(9):811–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Tachecí I, Ryska A, Cáp J, Siroký M, Rejchrt S, Spacek J, Kopácová M, Bures J (2002) Epithelioid hemangiosarcoma of the thyroid gland. Cas Lek Cesk. 2002; 141(9):291–3. Czech.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Bisceglia M, Vairo M, Tardio G, Scaramuzzi G, Zingrillo M. (1995) Primary angiosarcoma of the thyroid. Presentation of a case (epithelioid type) and nosological problems. Pathologica. 1995; 87(2):154–61. Review. Italian.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Rhomberg W, Gruber-Mösenbacher U, Eiter H, Fritzsche H, Breitfellner G. (1993) Prognosis and epidemiology of malignant hemangioendotheliomas of the thyroid gland. Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1993; 123(35):1640–4. [German].

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Del Rio P, Cataldo S, Sommaruga L, Corcione L, Guazzi A, Sianesi M. (2007) A rare case of thyroid haemangiosarcoma. Chir Ital. 59:747–749.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Kalitova P, Plzak J, Kodet R, Astl J. (2009) Angiosarcoma of the thyroid. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 266:903–905

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Zouaidia F, Jahid A, Elouazzani H, Laraki L, Bernoussi Z, Mansouri F, Mahassini N. (2010) Angiosarcoma of the Thyroid Gland: A Case Report. J Med Cases.2010; 1(1):29–31

    Google Scholar 

  25. Neri A, Aldovini D, Leonardi E, Giampiccolo M, Pedrolli C. (1990) Primary angiosarcoma of the thyroid gland. Presentation of a clinical case. Recenti Prog Med. 1990; 81(5):318–21. [Article in Italian]

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Fulciniti F, Mattia DD, Bove P, Mastro AA, Chiara AD, Botti G, Petrillo A, Apice G. (2008) Fine Needle Aspiration of Metastatic Epithelioid Angiosarcoma. A Report of 2 Cases. Acta Cytol. 52:612–618

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Petronella P, Scorzelli M, Luise R, Iannaci G, Sapere P, Ferretti M, Costanzo RM, Freda F, Canonico S, Rossiello R. Primary thyroid angiosarcoma: an unusual localization. World J Surg Oncol. 2012; 10(1):73

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Ortiz J, Villabona C, Bengoechea O, Gómez Alfonso FJ, Villabona V, Bullón A. Primary epithelioid angiosarcoma of the thyroid: an infrequent malignant thyroid tumor. Endocrinol Nutr. 2008; 55(4):181–183. [Article in English, Spanish]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Binesh F, Akhavan A, Navabii H, Dadgarnia MH, Zand V. Primary angiosarcoma of the thyroid gland in an young Iranian woman. BMJ Case Rep. 2011. doi: 10.1136/bcr.03.2011.4042

  30. Beer TW. Malignant thyroid haemangioendothelioma in a non-endemic goitrous region, with immunohistochemical evidence of a vascular origin. Histopathology. 1992; 20(6):539–41.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Proces S, Schroeyers P, Delos M, Michel L, Donckier J. Angiosarcoma of the thyroid and concurrent hyperthyroidism. J Endocrinol Invest. 1998; 21(1):67–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Jamski J, Wierzchowski W, Graca M. Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid gland. [Article in Polish] Przegl Lek. 2002;59(2):118–20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Thaler W, Riccabona G, Riedler L, Schmid K. Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid gland [Article in German] Chirurg. 1986; 57(6):397–400.

  34. Ladurner D, Tötsch M, Luze T, Bangerl I, Sandbichler P, Schmid KW. Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid gland. Pathology, clinical aspects and prognosis. [Article in German] Wien Klin Wochenschr. 1990; 102(9):256–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Naka N, Tomita Y, Nakanishi H, Araki N, Hongyo T, Ochi T, Aozasa K. Mutations of p53 tumor-suppressor gene in angiosarcoma. Int. J. Cancer 71, 952–955 (1997)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Kieser A, Weich HA, Brandner G, Marme D, Kolch W. Mutant p53 potentiates protein kinase C induction of vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Oncogene, 9, 963–969 (1994).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Tokuyama W, Mikami T, Masuzawa M, Okayasu I. Autocrine and paracrine roles of VEGF/VEGFR-2 and VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling in angiosarcomas of the scalp and face. Hum Pathol.2010; 41(3):407–14

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Italiano A, Chen CL, Thomas R, Breen M, Bonnet F, Sevenet N, Longy M, Maki RG, Coindre JM, Antonescu CR. Alterations of the p53 and PIK3CA/AKT/mTOR pathways in angiosarcomas: A pattern distinct from other sarcomas with complex genomics. Cancer. 2012. doi: 10.1002/cncr.27614

  39. Ruchti, C., Gerber, H. A., and Schaffner, T. (1984). Factor VIII-related antigen in malignant hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid: Additional evidence for the endothelial origin of this tumor. Am J Clin Pathol. 82, 474–480.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Pfaltz, M., Hedinger, C., Saremaslani, P., and Egloff, B. (1983). Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid and factor VIII-related antigen. Virchows Arch. A Pathol. Anat. Histopathol. 401, 177–184

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Eckert F, Schmid U, Gloor F, Hedinger C. (1986) Evidence of vascular differentiation in anaplastic tumours of the thyroid-an immunohistological study. Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol. 410(3):203-15

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Lydiatt WM, Shaha AR, Shah JP. Angiosarcoma of the Head and Neck. The American Journal of Surgery. Volume 168, Issue 5, 1994; 451–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. McIntosh, Bryan C; Narayan, Deepak. Head and Neck Angiosarcomas. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 16(4):699–703, 2005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Abraham JA, Hornicek FJ, Kaufman AM, Harmon DC, Springfield DS, Raskin KA, Mankin HJ, Kirsch DG, Rosenberg AE, Nielsen GP, Desphpande V, Suit HD,DeLaney TF, Yoon SS. Treatment and outcome of 82 patients with angiosarcoma. Ann Surg Oncol. 2007; 14(6):1953–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Park MS, Ravi V, Araujo DM. Inhibiting the VEGF-VEGFR pathway in angiosarcoma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, and hemangiopericytoma/solitary fibrous tumor. Curr Opin Oncol. 2010; 22(4):351–355.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledged Deepa Dutta, MD, of the Department of Pathology, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD (USA).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA

    Arshpreet Kaur

  2. Department of Surgical Oncology, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA

    Mukund S. Didolkar

  3. Department of Endocrinology, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, 2435 West Belvedere Avenue, Suite 56, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA

    Asha Thomas

Authors
  1. Arshpreet Kaur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mukund S. Didolkar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Asha Thomas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arshpreet Kaur.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kaur, A., Didolkar, M.S. & Thomas, A. Angiosarcoma of the Thyroid: a Case Report with Review of the Literature. Endocr Pathol 24, 156–161 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12022-013-9253-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12022-013-9253-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation