What causes angiosarcoma?

What causes angiosarcoma?

Angiosarcoma happens when the cells in the inner lining of your blood vessels change from normal to abnormal cells. Unlike normal cells, the abnormal cells don’t die but continue to churn out abnormal cells that eventually become masses or tumors. The abnormal cells keep on growing from your affected blood vessels, sometimes spreading to other areas of your body.

Researchers believe these tumors start forming when something changes in your blood vessel and/or lymph vessels’ genetic code. They’ve also identified several risk factors that may increase the chance you’ll develop angiosarcoma. Those risk factors are:

• Having radiation therapy, particularly if you received radiation therapy for breast cancer. Researchers believe there’s a link between radiation therapy and angiosarcoma that can develop many years after you’ve received radiation therapy.
• Being exposed to chemicals, including polyvinyl chloride, arsenic and thorium dioxide.
• Having chronic lymphedema. Approximately 5% of all angiosarcomas are linked to a form of chronic lymphedema called Stewart-Treves syndrome.
• Familial syndromes. About 3% of all angiosarcomas affect people who have conditions caused by genetic disorders.

Genetic disorders linked to angiosarcoma

Researchers have found links between genetic disorders that affect genes that are supposed to protect you against tumors. Specific conditions include:

• Bilateral retinoblastoma. This rare cancer grows on your retina on the back of your eyes.
• Ollier disease. This rare disorder affects how your bones develop.
• Maffucci syndrome. This rare disorder affects your bones’ cartilage.