# Surgical Treatment of Pulmonary Artery Angiosarcoma - A Ten-Year Experience

## TL;DR

This paper presents a ten-year review of surgical treatments for a rare and severe tumor called pulmonary artery angiosarcoma.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific CT signs for diagnosing angiosarcoma and highlights the importance of expert surgical centers.

## Key findings

- The 30-day mortality rate after surgery was 67%.
- Pneumonectomy with contralateral pulmonary endarterectomy is the preferred surgical treatment.
- Computed tomography signs help differentiate angiosarcoma from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

## Abstract

Pulmonary artery angiosarcoma is a rare and extremely severe tumor. Our study
summarizes the clinical data of patients treated for pulmonary artery
angiosarcoma over the period of 2010-2020.

We retrospectively analyzed cases of surgical treatment of patients with
diagnosis of pulmonary artery angiosarcoma at our center. Data of operative
findings, short-term follow-up, and the long-term results were reviewed
where available.

The 30-day mortality rate was six (67%) out of nine patients. Three (33%)
patients were discharged. Data on pulmonary vascular resistance in the
earlyand long-term postoperative periods were assessed if possible. Certain
computed tomography signs have been identified that can be used to suspect
pulmonary artery angiosarcoma and make a differential diagnosis with chronic
thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

The surgical treatment of choice is pneumonectomy with contralateral
pulmonary endarterectomy. Oncological vigilance regarding angiosarcoma in
occlusive-stenotic lesions of the pulmonary artery is extremely important.
Patients’ assessment must be carried out in an expert cardiothoracic surgery
center with the involvement of an oncological crew.