Clinical Detection of Primary Pulmonary Angiosarcoma

Abstract

Pulmonary angiosarcomas (PAS) are rare malignant vascular tumors that due to their aggressive and metastatic nature, are often diagnosed at a late stage, resulting in a poorer prognosis. Here we present a 53-year-old male who was initially found to have recurring episodes of dyspnea and syncope, with initial workup showing bilateral saddle pulmonary embolisms on computerized tomography, presumed secondary to newly discovered atrial fibrillation with sinus node dysfunction. Further investigation over subsequent months and subsequent biopsy of a potential lung mass ultimately revealed pulmonary angiosarcoma of the spindle cell line. This case emphasizes findings in the current literature, which reveal the time between the onset of symptoms and definitive diagnosis ranges from two to six months, with a median survival time of seven months or two months, with solitary lesions or multiple lesions at the time of diagnosis, respectively. With the limited incidence of PAS, this case suggests benefits in the development of screening and detection criteria for earlier detection and treatment.