Angiosarcoma originating in the anterior mediastinum: A case report

RATIONALE: Angiosarcomas are malignant vascular tumors, and angiosarcoma occurring in the anterior mediastinum is rare. Here we report a case of angiosarcoma that originated in the anterior mediastinum treated with surgery, followed by radiotherapy and synchronous chemotherapy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 56-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with chest pain for 3 days. Chest computerized tomogram (CT) examination showed a heterogeneous mass in the anterior superior mediastinum, and after injection of contrast agent, the mass showed obvious heterogeneous enhancement. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with T1 weighted image (T1WI) showed isointensity and T2 weighted image (T2WI) showed heterogeneous signal intensity, the mass showed an obvious heterogeneously enhancement after intravenous administration of contrast material. DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTIONS: Surgical resection operation was carried out. According to its morphologic and immunohistochemic feature of tumor cells which expressing CD31, CD34, and ERG, the tumor was categorized as an angiosarcoma. After operation, the patient received radiotherapy and synchronous chemotherapy. OUTCOMES: At present, 8 months postoperatively, no signs of recurrence have been observed. LESSONS: Although angiosarcoma in anterior mediastinum is rare, when a mass located in this area, a more careful immunohistological analysis should be performed to avoid overlooking the presence of angiosarcoma.