Medication Summary
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity, prevent complications, and eradicate the cancer.
Antineoplastic agents
Class Summary
Inhibit cell growth and proliferation.
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
A cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius. These drugs are structurally similar to tetracycline and interfere with DNA production by the cell. All cells can be affected, but rapidly producing cells are damaged. Active against many cancers and has been in use for decades. A clear orange-red powder or liquid only administered IV. Binds DNA and inhibits nucleic acid synthesis. Also a powerful iron chelator and iron-doxorubicin complex, induces production of free radicals that can destroy DNA and cancer cells.
Functional properties of a drug can be substantially affected by liposomal encapsulation. Liposomes used in different drug products can vary in their chemical and physical properties. These differences can substantially affect functional properties among liposomal drug products.
May continue treatment for as long as patient shows progress, shows no evidence of cardiotoxicity, and continues to tolerate treatment; PPE, stomatitis, or hematological toxicity may require doses to be delayed or reduced. Minimum of 4 courses recommended.
Ifosfamide (Ifex)
An alkylating agent. Inhibits DNA and protein synthesis and, thus, cell-proliferation by causing DNA cross-linking and denaturation of double helix.
Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
Cytidine analog. Metabolized intracellularly to active nucleotide. Inhibits ribonucleotide reductase and competes with deoxycytidine triphosphate for incorporation into DNA. Cell-cycle specific for S phase. Indicated as first-line treatment for locally advanced (nonresectable Stage II or Stage III) or metastatic (Stage IV) pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Indicated for patients previously treated with 5-FU.
Antineoplastics, Antimicrotubular (Taxanes)
Paclitaxel (Taxol)
Natural taxane, prevents depolymerization of cellular microtubules, which results in DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis inhibition.
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This is a classic example of angiosarcoma associated with chronic lymphedema after lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy. The patient is a 33-year-old woman who presented with a recurrent grade 2 angiosarcoma of the soft tissue after an attempt at wide excision and skin graft. Two weeks following this procedure, she developed multiple subcutaneous erythematous nodules involving the back and overlying the right scapula region, the supraclavicular fossa, the right breast, and arm. The window shows a microphotograph of the tissue obtained from the biopsy (hematoxylin and eosin stain, original magnification X160). Histologic preparation reveals neoplastic endothelial cells showing a solid pattern with occasional mitotic figures and sporadic protruding growth into the vascular lumens.
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This is a gross specimen from a proximal humerus bone angiosarcoma. These tumors generally are red and hemorrhagic. Although the tumor has not extended into the adjacent soft tissues, cortical erosion is evident. The patient was treated with wide excision and reconstruction with a humeral spacer. The patient's next oncologic recheck showed multiple lesions, including a large destructive lesion in the right ilium extending to the sacroiliac joint and the right sacral ala. Also noted was an upper thoracic vertebral lesion, multiple indeterminate pulmonary nodules, extensive hepatic metastases most marked in the left lobe, and an indeterminate left adnexal mass.
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This radiograph is from a 27-year-old woman who had preexisting mild pain in her left clavicle for a couple of weeks. She woke up one morning with severe pain. Radiographs showed a pathological fracture through a lytic lesion. The permanent section of the needle biopsy is shown in the window and was read as a grade 1 angiosarcoma. The cell morphology varied from epithelioid to spindle-shaped with indistinct borders. Most nuclei were large and vesicular, containing irregular large eosinophilic nucleoli and frequent mitoses. Physicians also found anastomosing vascular channels lined by pleomorphic malignant cells.
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CT scan, MRI, and bone scan from a 27-year-old woman with grade 1 angiosarcoma who presented with a pathological fracture through a lytic lesion on her left clavicle. Note the expansile lytic lesion in the left clavicle accompanied by a soft tissue mass visible on the MRI. No other lesions are identifiable. Regional lymph nodes are visible by MRI, and they do not appear involved. Lungs are clear. She was treated with wide resection of the clavicle, leaving both bony ends. No further reconstruction was attempted. Eighteen months after surgery, she is free of disease and has a full range of motion in the left shoulder. The residual aesthetic deformity is minimal.
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This 71-year-old man presented with a dark lesion on his scalp. The lesion was first treated with an excisional biopsy performed by his local physician; the lesion recurred quickly. He was treated with wide excision and adjuvant radiation therapy. The specimen (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X12.5) shows a well-differentiated cutaneous angiosarcoma composed of irregular vascular channels.
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This young woman presented with multicentric angiosarcoma. The images show several bones of the right foot, the right distal femur, and the right patella affected with the process. The microphotograph of the specimen revealed a grade 2 angiosarcoma (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X100). Most bone tumors are solitary lesions with a very low incidence of multicentricity. Vascular tumors are an exception and may involve multiple bones. Angiosarcoma presents in this case as multiple lytic lesions in the same extremity.
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This is a soft tissue angiosarcoma presenting as a rapidly growing mass in the calf. This 69-year-old woman was treated with wide resection of the mass followed by external beam radiotherapy. The full-thickness graft obtained from the ipsilateral thigh at the moment of surgery aided in the closure and prevented further wound complications during the adjuvant radiotherapy. The rapid growth of soft tissue angiosarcomas explains why they are often misdiagnosed as abscesses and tentatively treated with drainage. The drainage is sanguinous, with blood clots, and hemostasis may be challenging. To avoid this problem, fine-needle aspiration should precede any attempt at incisional or excisional biopsy of a soft tissue mass.
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This 45-year-old man presented with progressive pain in his left hip. Activity-related at first, the pain turned constant. The patient described it as a dull ache and a boring sensation, with occasional stubbing episodes. The pelvic bone involvement was extensive. The patient was treated with an external hemipelvectomy. The patient survived for 1.5 years.
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Plain film of the tibia demonstrates small lucencies without internal matrix production in keeping with the diagnosis of a vascular lesion.
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Coronal T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study reveals a lesion of the diaphysis with cortical breakthrough.
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Coronal T2 magnetic resonance image shows a diaphyseal lesion with intense surrounding edema (high signal intensity).
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Axial T2 magnetic resonance image shows a heterogeneous signal lesion with cortical destruction.
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Grossly, angiosarcomas show a reddish-brown color and solid patterns.
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Foci of angiosarcomas can show well-formed vascular channels that aid in the diagnosis. These channels can be difficult to find in a large number of tumors.
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Atypical cells in solid sheets or nests are typical of this tumor and can make diagnosis on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) sections difficult, necessitating the use of immunohistochemistry.
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CD34 immunohistochemistry highlights the vascular nature of angiosarcomas and aids in the diagnosis.
