A Case of the Primary Splenic Angiosarcoma Effectively Treated with Recombinant Interleukin-2

Koji Doi, Makoto Yoshida, Tomoaki Nakamura, Mitsuyoshi Matsumura, Masaru Uchinami, Kuniyoshi Tanaka and Yoshiaki Imamura*

Second Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui
Department of Surgical Pathology, University of Fukui Hospital*

Primary splenic angiosarcoma is a rare neoplasm with a dismal prognosis. We report a case of primary splenic angiosarcoma effectively treated with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) after splenectomy. A 52-year-old woman with a huge splenic tumor underwent splenectomy in September 2002. The resected tumor was diagnosed pathologically as angiosarcoma. For simultaneous multiple liver metastases, we initiated continuous hepatic arterial injection with rIL-2. After 1 month of treatment, liver metastases had decreased markedly in size. In March 2003, lymph node metastases were detected developing in the hepatoduodenal ligament. Continuous intravenous injection of rIL-2 gradually decreased lesion size. In May 2003, MRI showed a brain tumor. The tumor was resected, but the specimen had no pathological finding of angiosarcoma. After neurosurgical treatment, she had to discontinue rIL-2 therapy due to adverse side effect, dying 4 months later in September 2003.

Key words
splenic angiosarcoma, recombinant interleukin-2

Reprint requests
Koji Doi Second Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui
23-3 Shimoaizuki, Matsuoka-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui, 910-1193 JAPAN

Accepted
September 22, 2004

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