Splenic angiosarcoma presenting with jaundice, ascites and bone marrow fibrosis

Abstract

A middle aged chronic alcoholic presented with deep jaundice, markedly enlarged and tender spleen with leukoerythroblastic blood picture and bone marrow biopsy showing mild fibrosis. He was tested negative for HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses. Besides very high serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase was raised four times the normal value. Contrast enhanced CT showed enlarged spleen and liver with multiple heterogenous lesions in spleen and tiny hypo-dense lesions in liver. In hospital, he developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome and succumed to his illness. At autopsy spleen weighed 5200 gms and variegated in appearance due to large areas of necrosis and whitish tumour nodules. Histology revealed morphology of an angiosarcoma. Liver was also infiltrated by the tumour mainly in and around portal tract areas.