Diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage accompanied by haemothorax as a rare presentation of primary lung angiosarcoma

Introduction

Primary pulmonary angiosarcoma (PPA) is a rare neoplasm originating from endothelial cells of small vessels of the lung [1]. The highest incidence of the disease occurs in the fifth and sixth decade of life. Chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrates solitary or multifocal lesions occasionally accompanied by ground-glass opacities or pleural effusion [2-4]. Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage with concomitant haemothorax is an extremely rare manifestation of primary angiosarcoma of the lung. There has been only one other report published with a similar presentation [5]. The diagnosis is based on histological findings complemented by immunohistochemical stainings typical for endothelial markers. Due to high malignancy, patients with angiosarcoma have a low rate of survival. An effective therapeutic regimen is still being researched. We present a case of rapid progression of PPA manifested as bilateral pulmonary opacities and haemothorax.

Case report

A 65-year-old smoking woman presented a four-month history of haemoptysis, cough, and dyspnoea. The patient’s medical history was significant for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) under continuous anticoagulation treatment, hypertension, and diabetes. Due to severe haemoptysis, she reduced the dose of anticoagulant by 50% without medical consultation. Chest CT performed one month prior to hospitalisation revealed bilateral interstitial opacities with air bronchogram and ground-glass attenuations. The radiological findings suggested interstitial lung disease, and the patient was referred to our Department. On admission the general condition of the patient was severe. She presented dyspnoea in rest and massive haemoptysis. Physical examination showed obesity (BMI 47.5), tachypnoea (30 per minute), tachycardia (105 per minute), and oedema of the ankles. On auscultation, the respiratory sounds over the lower right lobe were diminished, and crackles over the middle right lobe and the whole left lung were detected. The patient had respiratory insufficiency (PaO2 – 50 mmHg, PaCO2 – 33 mmHg, pH 7.48). Laboratory tests revealed an elevated level of C-reactive protein (26.5 mg/dl), D-dimer (3991 ng/ml) and anaemia (haemoglobin 9 g/dl, haematocrit 29.7%). Chest X-ray demonstrated right-sided opacity corresponding to pleural fluid, scattered pulmonary lesions, and moderately enlarged hila (Fig. 1). Computed tomography scans of the chest showed progression of bilateral ground-glass opacities of different shape and size with peripheral predilection, small nodules (including one peripheral left lung nodule with slight cavitation), right-sided pleural effusion, and enlargement of the heart (Fig. 2 and 3). There were no radiological signs of pulmonary embolism in large branches of pulmonary arteries, but a suggestion that small vessels could have been filled with thrombotic material was made. Echocardiography showed enlargement of the right ventricle and both atria, and elevated pulmonary artery pressure at 42 mmHg. The values of tumour markers (cancer antigen CA 15-3, CA 19-9, CA 125, carcinoembryonic antigen), anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) were in normal range. Ultrasonography of the abdomen did not reveal any pathological masses. Bronchoscopy revealed a bronchi field with a significant amount of fresh blood without any visible point of origin. The bacterial and fungal cultures of bronchial washing were negative. Due to severe dyspnoea, two pleurocenteses were performed. The drainage was close to 1000 ml of bloody fluid. The haematocrit of the effusion was 19.8% and it was higher than 50% of the haematocrit of peripheral blood, which met the criteria of true haemothorax. The cytological examination of bronchial washing and pleural fluid was negative for neoplasmatic cells. On suspicion of immunologically-induced intra-alveolar haemorrhage, 80 mg of prednisone was administrated. After a brief stabilisation, videothoracoscopic pleural and lung biopsy was performed. Intra-operative biopsy for frozen section examination did not reveal any neoplasmatic cells. During the next two days after the surgery the condition of the patient was critical and she died a few days after.
Microscopic examination of pleural samples revealed that the areas of slit spaces were filled with erythrocytes and surrounded by epithelioid cells. Immunohistochemical reactions showed diffuse reactivity with anti-CD31 (LC70, Cell Marque) antibody (Fig. 4) and focal anti-CD34 (QBEnd/10, Cell Marque) staining. Reactions with cytokeratins (AE1AE3, Roche) and calretinin (SP65, Roche) were negative. In the lung specimen, cohesive and ill-defined lesions were found. On microscopic examination, the lesions were composed of groups of loosely packed epithelioid cells mixed with fibrin and erythrocytes. Adjacent alveolar spaces were filled with red blood cells and haemosiderin-laden macrophages (Fig. 5). A diagnosis of epithelioid angiosarcoma was established.

Discussion

Primary epithelioid angiosarcoma of the lung is an extremely rare disease. Typically, angiosarcomas occur as skin and subcutaneous tissue neoplasms of the head, neck, and lower and upper extremities, or involve the heart and extrathoracic organs [3, 4]. Pulmonary manifestation must be first of all differentiated with metastasis from other organs. There are no typical factors associated with development of these tumours. Some reports suggest a correlation between radiotherapy, chemotherapy, past surgical interventions, environmental carcinogens, or chronic tuberculosis pyothorax [1, 3, 6, 7].
Primary pulmonary angiosarcoma patients complain of haemoptysis, dyspnoea, cough, weight loss, fatigue, pleuritic chest pain, and sometimes fever [3, 8]. Our patient presented most of these symptoms. Nevertheless, due to nonspecific complaints, continuous anticoagulant therapy, history of heart disease, misleading radiological features, and rapid progression, the diagnosis was made in a very advanced and metastatic stadium. In the presented case, the clinical condition was also complicated by massive right-sided pleural effusion. The haematocrit of the fluid was higher than 50% of the haematocrit of peripheral blood, which met the criteria of true haemothorax [9].
There are no differences between PPA and metastatic angiosarcoma of the lung in radiological manifestation. In both cases CT demonstrates solitary or multifocal lesions, sometimes associated with ground-glass opacities or pleural effusion. Usually at the time of diagnosis, the neoplasm presents extensive local and metastatic invasion [1-4]. The first lung CT scan of our patient was confusing. It showed abnormalities suggesting interstitial pneumonia. There were no signs of typical tumour. Radiological changes evolved with the progression of the disease. Images obtained on admission revealed bilateral pulmonary opacities with ground-glass attenuations, a small number of nodules, and pleural effusion. There is only one case reported with this rare presentation of PPA [5].
The histological examination of epithelioid angiosarcomas reveals single or multifocal tumours composed of sheets of atypical epithelioid cells, focal vasoformative areas, and necrosis. Haematoxylin-eosin stained sections show irregularly anastomosing vessels, cells with nuclear atypia, and often a high mitotic count [4, 6]. The diagnosis needs to be confirmed by immunohistochemical reactions. Factor VIII, CD 31, CD34, Fli-1, Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1, and vimentin are typical endothelial markers [4, 7, 8]. The biopsy specimen of our patient showed positive reaction for CD 31 and CD 34. The other stains, including cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) for epithelial and calretinin for mesothelial proliferations, were negative. It is suggested that at least two markers should be present in order to confirm the endothelial origin [8].
Unfortunately, the survival rate in primary pulmonary manifestation is less than 39 months [8]. There have been reports summarising poor prognostic factors for angiosarcomas, such as age (> 70 years), tumour size (> 5 cm), metastases at presentation, grade, and mitotic count, but they are still under debate [7, 10].
The presented case is a rare manifestation of primary pulmonary angiosarcoma with diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage and haemothorax. Non-distinctive clinical and radiological symptoms and a rapidly progressive course make this type of neoplasm a considerable challenge for clinicians. Our case is a reminder of the necessity to include PPA in differential diagnosis of diffuse alveolar haemorrhage and haemothorax.

Disclosure

Authors report no conflict of interest.

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