Angiosarcoma

A healthcare provider may start by doing a physical exam and discussing your symptoms. They’ll also ask about your medical history. For example, previous radiation therapy or working a job that exposed you to large amounts of certain chemicals may cause your provider to suspect angiosarcoma.

They may do imaging tests to look at the tumor’s size and location. A CT scan, MRI and PET scan are the most common tests used to diagnose angiosarcoma. You may need a mammogram or ultrasound if your provider suspects a breast angiosarcoma. You may need a transesophageal echocardiogram if your provider suspects a cardiac angiosarcoma.

Finally, you’ll need a biopsy, which involves a provider removing small samples of your tissue, fluid and cells. The samples are sent to a laboratory so a pathologist can test for cancer cells. A lab test called immunohistochemistry can confirm an angiosarcoma diagnosis.

Stages of angiosarcoma

Cancer staging helps healthcare providers classify how advanced cancer is. Providers stage angiosarcomas on a scale from I to IV, with Stage I meaning the tumor hasn’t spread beyond its primary location and Stage IV meaning it’s spread to distant parts of the body. As angiosarcomas are aggressive, many have already spread (which means they’re more advanced) by the time they’re diagnosed. The most common place they spread is to the lungs.

Knowing your cancer stage can help your provider decide which treatments may help you live longer.