A durable response to gemcitabine monotherapy in metastatic cardiac angiosarcoma

Abstract

Introduction: Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare neoplasm with high rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis for which optimum treatment is poorly defined. Case Report: We present the case of a 49-year-old man with cardiac angiosarcoma with distant metastases who exhibits durable response to gemcitabine monotherapy. At initial diagnosis, he underwent complete resection with adjuvant Adriamycin and Ifosfamide for four cycles as well as external beam radiation for possible residual disease. He had recurrence with liver and bone metastases four years later. He received Gemcitabine and Docetaxel for six cycles followed by Gemcitabine monotherapy with no evidence of recurrence for the next three years. Conclusion: This patient’s consistent response to gemcitabine maintenance therapy in metastatic cardiac angiosarcoma adds to relative paucity of data regarding the management of this rare malignancy, offering insight into best practice and hope for patients afflicted with this disease.