Bilateral angiosarcoma of the breast after conservative treatment of bilateral invasive carcinoma: Genetic predisposition?

Aims: In view of the increasing application of breast-conserving therapy (BCT) for early breast cancer during the last decades, the number of BCT-associated angiosarcomas is likely to increase. Their aetiology is not completely clear. The aim of this study was to examine the potential role of genetic predisposition for development of this rare tumour. Methods: The authors report on a case of consecutive bilateral development of angiosarcoma of the breast 6 and 12 years after BCT for bilateral invasive breast carcinoma. The literature was reviewed and the potential role of genetic predisposition was examined. Results: Such a case of bilateral BCT-induced breast angiosarcoma has not been previously reported in the international literature. The change on development of such a tumour bilaterally is 0.25-2.6 per million women who underwent bilaterally BCT with radiotherapy for invasive carcinoma. The case history and the literature review suggest that gene mutations are likely to play a role in development of post-radiation angiosarcoma of the breast. Conclusions: It is assumed that genetic predisposition may play a role in the development of angiosarcoma after BCT. When such a predisposition is known, one might decide to avoid BCT in favour of mastectomy. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.