ANGIOSARCOMA OF THE SKIN OVERLYING AN IRRADIATED BREAST

A case of angiosarcoma of the breast which developed six and a half years after treatment for carcinoma of the same breast is reported. As a result of radiotherapy the breast manifested signs of chronic lymphedema prior to development of angiosarcoma. Although the aetiology in this case is uncertain, there was a past history of childhood naevus regressing spontaneously. Angiosarcoma is a well known complication following radiotherapy and lymphedema, and is likely to be seen more frequently as conservation treatment is used more commonly for patients with early breast cancer.