Thyroid angiosarcoma (TAS) — A rare diagnosis not to be missed

Abstract

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Non-alpine primary thyroid angiosarcoma

“…Thyroglobulin staining was negative. In the past, TAS was a controversial entity because it was considered a vascular mutation of anaplastic carcinoma and not a true sarcoma (3). However, according to the last World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of endocrine organs, TAS is considered a distinct entity included in the group of vascular tumors (8).…”

“…T hyroid angiosarcoma is an extremely rare and highly aggressive malignant tumor. This entity constitutes less than 1% of all sarcomas, with a higher prevalence in alpine regions (1)(2)(3). This geographic variation might be associated with iodine deficiency and a long history of endemic goiter (1,3).…”

“…This entity constitutes less than 1% of all sarcomas, with a higher prevalence in alpine regions (1)(2)(3). This geographic variation might be associated with iodine deficiency and a long history of endemic goiter (1,3). Other factors, such as exposure to radiation and to vinyl chloride, have also been described as predisposing factors (3).…”

“…This geographic variation might be associated with iodine deficiency and a long history of endemic goiter (1,3). Other factors, such as exposure to radiation and to vinyl chloride, have also been described as predisposing factors (3). These tumors are more frequent in females (ratio 9:3) and occur mainly between 50 and 80 years of age (4).…”

“…These tumors are more frequent in females (ratio 9:3) and occur mainly between 50 and 80 years of age (4). The clinical manifestations of thyroid angiosarcoma are nonspecific and depend on the location, size, extension and existence of metastases (3). The prognosis is unfavorable, with a 5-year survival rate of 33.3%, because it tends to spread rapidly to the cervical lymph nodes, lungs and bone marrow (1,5).…”