Angiosarcoma of the Liver

Angiosarcoma of the liver is a type of cancer that is rare and aggressive. Its tumor growth starts in the lining of the blood vessels in the liver. The disease begins as a growth of immature cells, which proliferate rapidly and become cancerous cells.

Since the liver is mainly responsible on detoxification of the blood, the organ collects toxins that act on cells at gene level. Many years may pass before the damage, inflicted by these defective cells to other parts of the liver and the body shows any signs and symptoms. The blood system typically distributes the spread of cancer. In most cases of Angiosarcoma of the liver, both lobes of the liver have multicentric tumor.

Common symptoms of Angiosarcoma of the liver:

Asymptomatic (in early stages)

Fatigue

Abdominal pain (at the right upper part)

Jaundice

Ascites (presence of serous fluid inside the abdominal cavity)

Breast lump (without pain)

Enlarged liver

Angiosarcoma is the most frequent malignancy in the liver and can be caused by previous exposure to Thorotrast, arsenicals, and vinyl chloride. These are toxins that can start destroying the liver at first contact but shows symptoms after many years had passed. At this time, the damage may be seriously advanced.

Treatment options are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. But because Angiosarcoma of the liver is very uncommon tumor, its response to chemotherapy and radiation is difficult to evaluate. There is a temporary regression though and an improvement on the functions of the liver; but survival rate is just increased by a number of months.

Angiosarcoma of the liver is a cancer that is rare and aggressive. Its tumor growth starts in the lining of the blood vessels in the liver. The disease begins as a growth of immature cells, which proliferate rapidly and become cancerous cells.