Abstract
Aortic intimal angiosarcoma is extremely rare, and the prognosis of patients with a tumor is unfavorable even if they have undergone surgery. We treated a patient with primary intimal angiosarcoma of the aortic arch who underwent an operation. The tumor originated from the inner wall of the aortic arch on the lesser curve. In order to remove the tumor completely, the entire aortic arch from the ascending to the middle of descending aorta was resected through an L-shape skin incision. On histologic examination, an undifferentiated intimal sarcoma was diagnosed. It grew into the aortic lumen while spreading along the aortic intima, focally infiltrating the media. The postoperative course was uneventful. Postoperative CT performed at 6, 12 and 18 months after surgery showed no local recurrence or metastasis. According to some reports endoarterectomy has been performed to treat this type of tumor, since the malignant cells are thought to be limited to the luminal surface. However, we favor aortic resections and graft interpositions rather than an endoarterectomy because the tumor could have invaded the media.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Thalheimer A, Fein M, Geissinger E, Franke S. Intimal angiosarcoma of the aorta: report of a case and review of the literature. J Vasc Surg 2004;40:548–553.
Rhee MY, Myong NH, Park YB. Primary intimal sarcoma of the aorta: role of transesophageal echocardiography. Circ J 2002;66:111–113.
Pompilio G, Tartara P, Varesi C, Biglioli P. Intimal-type primary sarcoma of the thoracic aorta: an unusual case presenting with left arm embolization. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2002; 21:574–576.
Akiyama K, Nakata K, Negishi N, Henmi A. Intimal sarcoma of the thoracic aorta: clinical-course and autopsy finding. Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2005;11:135–138.
Kim JY, Chang BC, Ha JW. Images in cardiology; intimal angiosarcoma of the descending aorta as an unusual cause of severe upper extremity hypertension. Heart 2006;92:306.
Tulsyan N, Valentin MD, Ombrellino M, Moritz M, Agis H, Kabnick L. Recurrent aortic angiosarcoma: a case report and review of the literature. Angiology 2006;57:123–125.
Sebenik M, Ricci A Jr, DiPasquale B, Mody K, Pytel P, Jee KJ, et al. Undifferentiated intimal sarcoma of large systemic blood vessels: report of 14 cases with immunohistochemical profi le and review of the literature. Am J Surg Pathol 2005; 29:1184–1193.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kato, W., Usui, A., Oshima, H. et al. Primary aortic intimal sarcoma. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 56, 236–238 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-008-0231-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-008-0231-1