Angiosarcoma in HIV-negative patients is not associated with HHV-8

Abstract

BACKGROUNDAngiosarcoma is an aggressive, malignant neoplasm of vascular or lymphatic origin. Herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is a member of the herpes family with a tropism for endothelial cells and it has been proven to induce vascular neoplasms, such as Kaposi's sarcoma. The role of HHV-8 in the pathogenesis of angiosarcoma has not been well defined.OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the presence of HHV-8 and angiosarcoma.METHODSIn this study, the team investigated the relationship between the presence of HHV-8, as determined by polymerase chain reaction, and angiosarcoma, using samples from patients with epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma as controls.RESULTSWhile all control cases with epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma were positive for HHV-8, none of the angiosarcoma cases was.CONCLUSIONThese findings support most previous studies that found no association between HHV-8 and angiosarcoma.

Vaginal epithelioid angiosarcoma: A literature review of a rare entity in an unusual site

“…Angiosarcomas appear to have no predisposing risk factors and occur sporadically with no specific primary angiosarcoma genetic aberration having been described and the overall genetics of angiosarcomas remaining poorly understood ( Richer et al, 2014 ). However, due to an increase in reported numbers of angiosarcomas over the last few decades, several risk factors have been postulated, such as an increased use of radiotherapy in female genital tract cancer management and improved diagnostic methods ( Avancini et al, 2016 ). Radiation is a well-recognised cause of angiosarcomas and over 200 cases have been reported in the literature ( Morgan et al, 1989 ), irrespective of the anatomical site ( Richer et al, 2014 ).…”

“…In contrast, only 1 case of epithelioid angiosarcoma in the literature had a previous hysterectomy for a benign condition. Other rare potential risk factors identified in previous studies of gynaecological angiosarcomas include the use of a long-term vaginal ring pessary and other foreign bodies, including bullets and surgical sponge material from prior surgery ( Avancini et al, 2016 , Richer et al, 2014 ). There were no potential risk factors present in our case.…”

“…There were no potential risk factors present in our case. Angiosarcomas have been described as being more common in elderly women ( Avancini et al, 2016 ). However, in the cases from the literature the patients’ age ranged from 22 years to 86 years.…”

“…Angiosarcomas are aggressive endothelial-comprised malignant neoplasms with vascular or lymphatic origin, making up less than 1% of all soft tissue sarcomas ( McAdam et al, 1998 ). These tumours have a predilection for skin, breast, and deep soft tissue and account for 5.4% of all skin sarcomas ( McAdam et al, 1998 , Avancini et al, 2016 ). The first case of a vaginal angiosarcoma was presented in 1983 ( Prempree et al, 1983 ).…”