Severe intestinal bleeding caused by intestinal metastases of a primary angiosarcome of the thyroid gland

Abstract

A 75 year old male presented with gastrointestinal bleeding after resection of both upper lobes of the lungs because of metastases. One year ago an angiosarcoma was the reason for a complete removal of the thyroid gland. In esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy we found multiple hemorrhagically stained polyploids lesions in the postbulbar duodenum and jejunum. Colonoscopy showed isolated polyploid lesions of the right flexura. Because of persistent gastrointestinal bleeding a diagnostic laparotomy was done. Intraoperative intestinoscopy demonstrated multiple bleeding metastasis. To remove many of the bleeding lesions two longer intestinal segments of the jejunum and ileum were resected. The histology of the metastases showed arrangements of polygonal cells with prominent nucleoli and atypical mitosis. Immunohistochemistry identified CD 31, vimentin and factor VIII associated antigen. There was an erosion of the superficial intestinal mucosal cells with resulting hemorrhage; same histology had been found in the thyroid gland and the right upper lobe of lung. Eight days after surgery the patient died because of respiratory and circulatory insufficiency.