Angiosarcoma of the scalp associated with renal transplantation

Abstract

A case of cutaneous angiosarcoma occurring in a 51-year-old male renal transplant patient is reported. Multiple violaceous nodules surrounded by poorly demarcated red to purple discoloration were found on his scalp. Immunosuppressants consisting of azathioprine and prednisolone had been administered during the 12-year period since the renal transplantation. We diagnosed the lesion clinically as a cutaneous angiosarcoma and performed a wide surgical excision. The histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis and showed tumour cells in the peripheral margin. Postoperatively, the patient started immunotherapy with systemic administration of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2), but he refused to continue it because of the acute rejection of the transplanted kidney induced by the rIL-2. Instead he received radiation therapy (total 7000 rad) of the scalp. Although no recurrence was noticed for 15 months after the completion of radiation, he died due to lung metastasis from angiosarcoma. We review the seven cases, including ours, of angiosarcoma after renal transplantation that are reported in detail in the literature.