The Role of Local Therapy in Multi-focal Epithelioid Haemangioendothelioma

BACKGROUND/AIM: Epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare tumor with a wide spectrum of clinical behavior. There is no consensus on the role of local therapy in symptomatic, multi-focal disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients presenting to the Royal Marsden Hospital between January 2000 and December 2017 was conducted.

RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with EHE were identified, of which 18 patients (34.0%) received local therapy, and 11 patients (20.8%) underwent active surveillance. A variety of local treatment modalities were used with few toxicities, and local recurrence was managed with other local treatments or systemic therapy. Distal disease progression was infrequent (n=4, 7.5%). Patients who developed pleural effusion (n=5, 9.4%) had poor outcome irrespective of treatment.

CONCLUSION: Local therapy has a role in a selected patient group managed in a multidisciplinary setting, including patients with indolent disease, and patients with a solitary area of progression/symptomatic disease.