Angiosarcoma of a Femoropopliteal Bypass Thrombosed Vein Graft

Abstract

Background

Angiosarcoma is a rare subtype of malignant vascular tumours which has been only anecdotally described in patients submitted to lower limb revascularization.

Case presentation

This paper reports a patient previously submitted to a femoropopliteal bypass using autologous great saphenous vein (GSV). Nine years after the initial surgery, a primary angiosarcoma of the thrombosed vein graft was diagnosed, requiring en bloc surgical resection. Rampant metastatic spread was documented despite primary tumour surgical resection with a dismal outcome within months.

Conclusions

Malignant transformation of autologous vein for lower limb revascularization is extremely rare and anecdotally described in the literature. It is a poorly studied complication with an aggressive behaviour. This report further reinforces the need for early recognition of this pathology.