Recurrent hemangiopericytoma of the chest wall: report of a case in a 5-year-old boy

Massive intrathoracic extrapleural haemangiopericytoma: deployment of radiotherapy to reduce vascularity

Haemangiopericytoma is a rare, highly vascular, slow-growing tumour which has both malignant and benign varieties. We report a case of a 63-year-old man in whom it was treated by initial radiotherapy followed by complete surgical excision. The preoperative radiotherapy markedly reduced the vascularity of the tumour. A brief review of the pathology and nature of tumour is provided.

Hemangiopericytoma of the liver: immunohistochemical observations, expression of angiogenic factors, and review of the literature

PURPOSE

We describe an unusual case of a hemangiopericytoma in the liver of a child, review the literature, and characterize the tumor by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. We study the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical history and pathology were reviewed; sections of the tumor were studied by histology, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry using antibodies directed towards factor-XIIIa, HAM-56, bFGF and VEGF, among others.

RESULTS

The expression of VEGF resembled that of "proliferating" hemangiomas; however, despite being markedly elevated in the urine, bFGF could not be unequivocally detected in the tumor. A subpopulation of factor XIIIa positive cells was identified, similar to the "interstitial" cells of the cellular hemangiomas of infancy. The nature and function of these cells remains speculative.

CONCLUSIONS

Hemangiopericytomas are rare in the liver. When arising in this location in a child, they may clinically resemble a hemangioma, may express angiogenic factors in a similar fashion, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.