Atypical presentation of angiosarcoma of the scalp in the setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Angiosarcoma of the head and neck is an uncommon, aggressive malignant entity most commonly found in elderly Caucasian males. We present a case in a young black female with co-existing HIV. The atypical gender, age and race of the pa...

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Main Author: Govender Poovandren S
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2009-12-01
Series:World Journal of Surgical Oncology
Online Access:http://www.wjso.com/content/7/1/99
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author Govender Poovandren S
author_facet Govender Poovandren S
author_sort Govender Poovandren S
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Angiosarcoma of the head and neck is an uncommon, aggressive malignant entity most commonly found in elderly Caucasian males. We present a case in a young black female with co-existing HIV. The atypical gender, age and race of the patient reflect the unusual clinical presentation of this case of angiosarcoma, attributable to the patient's HIV status.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 22 year old patient presented with a large unresectable lesion over the occiput with surrounding ulceration, satellite lesions and associated lymphadenopathy. She is HIV-infected with a CD4 count of 360 cells/μl. She was not on antiretroviral treatment based on South African treatment guidelines advocating antiretroviral treatment when the CD4 count is below 200 cells/μl, in the absence of other AIDS-defining illnesses.</p> <p>The patient was treated with a course of ifosfamide and anthracyline based chemotherapy. Disease progression was noted on chemotherapy and she was subsequently palliated with a course of radiotherapy. She had a satisfactory response with an improvement in local symptoms. She is currently receiving symptomatic care.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>South Africa is at the epicenter of the HIV epidemic. Consequently, the management of patients in the field of oncology in our clinical practice is often burdened with malignancies manifesting with an atypical disease presentation and clinical course.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-9fe10f3e445a4b85b2f4d8441bead8cb2022-12-22T02:58:03ZengBMCWorld Journal of Surgical Oncology1477-78192009-12-01719910.1186/1477-7819-7-99Atypical presentation of angiosarcoma of the scalp in the setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)Govender Poovandren S<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Angiosarcoma of the head and neck is an uncommon, aggressive malignant entity most commonly found in elderly Caucasian males. We present a case in a young black female with co-existing HIV. The atypical gender, age and race of the patient reflect the unusual clinical presentation of this case of angiosarcoma, attributable to the patient's HIV status.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 22 year old patient presented with a large unresectable lesion over the occiput with surrounding ulceration, satellite lesions and associated lymphadenopathy. She is HIV-infected with a CD4 count of 360 cells/μl. She was not on antiretroviral treatment based on South African treatment guidelines advocating antiretroviral treatment when the CD4 count is below 200 cells/μl, in the absence of other AIDS-defining illnesses.</p> <p>The patient was treated with a course of ifosfamide and anthracyline based chemotherapy. Disease progression was noted on chemotherapy and she was subsequently palliated with a course of radiotherapy. She had a satisfactory response with an improvement in local symptoms. She is currently receiving symptomatic care.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>South Africa is at the epicenter of the HIV epidemic. Consequently, the management of patients in the field of oncology in our clinical practice is often burdened with malignancies manifesting with an atypical disease presentation and clinical course.</p>http://www.wjso.com/content/7/1/99
spellingShingle Govender Poovandren S
Atypical presentation of angiosarcoma of the scalp in the setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
World Journal of Surgical Oncology
title Atypical presentation of angiosarcoma of the scalp in the setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
title_full Atypical presentation of angiosarcoma of the scalp in the setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
title_fullStr Atypical presentation of angiosarcoma of the scalp in the setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
title_full_unstemmed Atypical presentation of angiosarcoma of the scalp in the setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
title_short Atypical presentation of angiosarcoma of the scalp in the setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
title_sort atypical presentation of angiosarcoma of the scalp in the setting of human immunodeficiency virus hiv
url http://www.wjso.com/content/7/1/99
work_keys_str_mv AT govenderpoovandrens atypicalpresentationofangiosarcomaofthescalpinthesettingofhumanimmunodeficiencyvirushiv