Pelvic excision of large aggressive angiomyxoma in a woman: irradiation for recurrent disease

Abstract

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) is a rare tumor that preferentially involves the pelvis and perineal regions and arises from the connective tissue. Its cause and pathogenesis are unknown at present. Treatment typically involves surgery, and despite apparently complete resection, local recurrences are common. We describe a case of a large angiomyxoma of the left pelvis in a 59-year-old woman who underwent two surgical excisions. The first had been done in May 1998. She developed a local recurrence in December 1998. A palliative resection with macroscopic residuals was performed in February 2001, followed by radiation therapy with a total dose of 60 Gy. The diagnosis was revised at the time of the second operation. Initially, the tumor was diagnosed as angiomyofibroblastoma. Follow-up 3 years after the radiation treatment revealed no recurrence. The time of the local control achieved as yet is already longer than the former time to progression between the first two surgical procedures. This is, to our knowledge, the second description of a therapeutic irradiation of a recurrent AAM. Radiation therapy is able to control a recurrent AAM for at least 3 years.