Symptoms of Angiosarcoma
When the endothelial cells that line the walls of the blood or lymphatic vessels begin abnormal changes and growth, it begins a process that ultimately can end in a malignant, rapidly growing, highly invasive variety of cancer called Angiosarcoma. These changes at the cellular level can be caused by exposure to carcinogens such as vinyl chloride, radiation, or other chemicals. Exposure to carcinogens can lead to these changes at the cellular level. Unfortunately symptoms of Angiosarcoma can take years to develop and the disease can affect a number of systems and organs within the body. This is why a patient’s history can be a very important part of an accurate diagnosis.
Angiosarcomas are more frequently found in skin and soft tissue that includes the liver, breast, spleen, bone or heart. The most common form of Angiosarcoma is Cutaneous Angiosarcoma.
There are very few symptoms that uniquely identify the presence of Angiosarcoma. Many of the symptoms that could indicate Angiosarcoma could just as well indicate some other condition. For example, anemia may possibly indicate Angiosarcoma but it could be a symptom of B12 or iron deficiencies. This makes the identification of Angiosarcoma difficult since symptoms often appear when the cancer is well advanced and the diagnosis is delayed when eliminating other possible causes of the symptoms. The symptoms of Angiosarcoma can differ according to where the tumor is developing.
Some of the symptoms of Angiosarcoma may include:
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- A reduction of red blood cells
- A lump or swelling under the skin
- Skin lesions
- Bone pain
- Dull aches or stabbing pains
One of the reasons that symptoms of Angiosarcoma often include symptoms of blood disorders is that sometimes Angiosarcoma is a tumor in which blood vessels grow directly into the tumor. This gives the tumor its own blood supply. As a result the cancer can spread rapidly to other parts of the body. This can lead to other health problems.
Uncontrolled growth and division of blood cells can lead to a platelet deficiency and, since platelets are needed to aid in blood clotting, uncontrolled bleeding can occur. The red cell count can become low. Since the red cells contain hemoglobin which delivers oxygen to all the body tissues, patients often feel tired and the lack of oxygen delivery can put stress on body organs.
Some of the symptoms of Angiosarcoma of the skin may include an enlarging bruise, a blue-black nodule, or unhealed ulceration. There may be complaints of pain at the site of the tumor, and frequently there is significant discharge of blood, lymph, or other fluids.
In Angiosarcoma of the bone, the tumor can weaken the bone making it susceptible to breaking. Tumors may grow on multiple bones of the same extremity. Symptoms of Angiosarcoma may include pain, swelling and tenderness of the affected area.
Liver Angiosarcoma is usually asymptomatic in the early stage. As the disease progresses liver dysfunctions appear. There may be a reduced appetite, weight loss, and jaundice, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and an enlarged liver. There may be abdominal pain.
Abdominal Angiosarcoma may be more difficult to diagnose as the tumor rapidly grows to a large size in the abdomen before being detected. Symptoms of Angiosarcoma may include hemorrhage, anemia, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The adjacent lymph nodes may be enlarged.
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