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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 21, 2014; 20(43): 16359-16363
Published online Nov 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i43.16359
Published online Nov 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i43.16359
Giant primary angiosarcoma of the small intestine showing severe sepsis
Mizuna Takahashi, Masanori Ohara, Hiromitsu Domen, Takumi Yamabuki, Kazuteru Komuro, Nozomu Iwashiro, Department of Surgery, National Hospital Organization Hakodate Hospital, Hakodate 041-8512, Japan
Noriko Kimura, Pathology, National Hospital Organization Hakodate Hospital, Hakodate 041-8512, Japan
Takahiro Tsuchikawa, Satoshi Hirano, Department of Gastroenterological Surgery II, Hokkaido University Hospital, Hokkaido 060-8648, Japan
Author contributions: Takahashi M wrote the manuscript; Tsuchikawa T and Hirano S drafted the manuscript; Domen H, Yamabuki T and Ohara M edited the manuscript; Kimura N contributed to the pathological diagnosis and discussion; and Komuro K and Iwashiro N checked the references.
Correspondence to: Mizuna Takahashi, MD, Departments of Surgery, National Hospital Organization Hakodate Hospital, 18-16 Kawahara-cho, Hakodate 041-8512, Japan. mi.takahashi@sepia.plala.or.jp
Telephone: +81-138-516281 Fax: +81-138-516288
Received: March 17, 2014
Revised: May 14, 2014
Accepted: July 15, 2014
Published online: November 21, 2014
Processing time: 248 Days and 6.1 Hours
Revised: May 14, 2014
Accepted: July 15, 2014
Published online: November 21, 2014
Processing time: 248 Days and 6.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Angiosarcoma represents 1%-2% of soft-tissue sarcomas and most frequently occurs in the subcutis. This tumor may affect internal organs such as the heart, liver, and spleen, and only rarely emerges in the gastrointestinal tract. Details of angiosarcoma of the small intestine are thus particularly scarce. We encountered a case of small intestinal angiosarcoma showing rapid tumor growth. We speculate that the giant tumor became hypoxic due to ischemia, resulting in tumor necrosis and perforation. Postoperative prognosis was very poor, and a multidisciplinary approach to establishing optimal treatment is warranted.