Giulio Illuminati1, Giulia Pizzardi2, Francesco Calio3, Maria A Pacilè2, Fabio Carboni4, Piergaspare Palumbo2, Francesco Vietri2. 1. The "F. Durante" Department of Surgical Sciences, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. Electronic address: giulio.illuminati@uniroma1.it. 2. The "F. Durante" Department of Surgical Sciences, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. 3. The Department of Surgery, Sant'Anna Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy. 4. The Department of Surgery, "Regina Elena" Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hemangiopericytoma of the spleen is a very rare tumor, with 14 isolated reports. It was our aim to review our experience and compare it with all the reported cases in an attempt to standardize surgical treatment, adjuvant treatment and follow-up protocol of this infrequent condition. METHODS: A consecutive case series study, with a mean follow-up of 44 months. Five patients (mean age, 49 years) underwent simple splenectomy for hemangiopericytoma limited to the spleen followed by adriamycin-based chemotherapy in one patient. RESULTS: All the patients are alive and free from disease. CONCLUSIONS: For tumors confined to the spleen, simple splenectomy can be considered curative, without any need for further adjuvant treatment. On review of the medical literature, cure can still be achieved with complete resection of recurrences, when feasible, with adjuvant chemotherapy being also indicated. The slow-growing pattern of the tumor suggests a 10-year follow-up.
INTRODUCTION: Hemangiopericytoma of the spleen is a very rare tumor, with 14 isolated reports. It was our aim to review our experience and compare it with all the reported cases in an attempt to standardize surgical treatment, adjuvant treatment and follow-up protocol of this infrequent condition. METHODS: A consecutive case series study, with a mean follow-up of 44 months. Five patients (mean age, 49 years) underwent simple splenectomy for hemangiopericytoma limited to the spleen followed by adriamycin-based chemotherapy in one patient. RESULTS: All the patients are alive and free from disease. CONCLUSIONS: For tumors confined to the spleen, simple splenectomy can be considered curative, without any need for further adjuvant treatment. On review of the medical literature, cure can still be achieved with complete resection of recurrences, when feasible, with adjuvant chemotherapy being also indicated. The slow-growing pattern of the tumor suggests a 10-year follow-up.