Stewart-Treves syndrome

Stewart-Treves syndrome refers to an angiosarcoma arising from chronic lymphedema (swelling due to lymphatic obstruction). It typically occurs as a complication of long-lasting lymphedema of the arm after mastectomy and/or radiotherapy for breast cancer. It can rarely occur on the leg. The prognosis, even with wide surgical excision and subsequent radiotherapy, is poor. Angiosarcoma is a malignant tumor of vascular origin. It accounts for less than 1% of all sarcomas and is usually located in the skin, breast, liver, and soft tissue.