Is sarcoma a complication of arterial femoro-popliteal bypass?

Angiosarcoma is a rare neoplasm comprising 1 to 2% of soft tissue sarcoma. This tumor has been associated with previous irradiation, exposure to toxins and the presence of foreign bodies. A case report of an epithelioid angiosarcoma that developed at the site of an arterial femoro-popliteal bypass using autologous vein is described. The initial presentation looked like a painful popliteal cyst. Chronic fibrosis secondary to the thrombosis could play a role in the tumorogenesis of this uncommon tumor. This case illustrates that sarcoma may be a late complication of vascular bypass and may have a rheumatologic presentation. Copyright 2010 Société française de rhumatologie. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.