Outcomes after definitive treatment for cutaneous angiosarcomas of the face and scalp: Reevaluating the role of surgery and radiation therapy

Head Neck. 2023 Aug;45(8):1943-1951. doi: 10.1002/hed.27418. Epub 2023 Jun 5.

Abstract

Introduction: We investigated outcomes and prognostic factors for patients treated for cutaneous angiosarcoma (CA).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients treated for CA of the face and scalp from 1962 to 2019. All received definitive treatment with surgery, radiation (RT), or a combination (S-XRT). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate outcomes. Multivariable analyses were conducted using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results: For the 143 patients evaluated median follow-up was 33 months. Five-year LC was 51% and worse in patients with tumors >5 cm, multifocal tumors, those treated pre-2000, and with single modality therapy (SMT). These remained associated with worse LC on multivariable analysis. The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) for the cohort was 56%. Tumor size >5 cm, non-scalp primary site, treatment pre-2000, and SMT were associated with worse DSS.

Conclusion: Large or multifocal tumors are negative prognostic factors in patients with head and neck CA. S-XRT improved outcomes.

Keywords: angiosarcoma; radiation; surgery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / radiotherapy
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Skin Neoplasms* / surgery