Meta-analysis finds early-stage cutaneous angiosarcoma linked to longer survival

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare, aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis and limited evidence guiding treatment. Optimal therapy remains undefined due to disease heterogeneity and a lack of large prospective trials. OBJECTIVE: To assess survival outcomes across treatment modalities and clinical stages in patients with angiosarcoma using a meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic search identified studies reporting treatment and outcome data for cutaneous angiosarcoma. Patient-level data from 159 patients across 9 studies were extracted. Patients were stratified into early-stage and mid/late-stage. Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier estimates, Cox regression, and subgroup comparisons of recurrence, metastasis, and survival. RESULTS: Early-stage patients showed longer average survival-as well as delayed recurrence and metastasis-compared with mid/late-stage patients; differences were not statistically significant. Tumor location was the strongest predictor of survival in advanced-stage disease, while age predicted mortality in early-stage, with younger patients having improved survival. Treatment modality and surgical type were not independently associated with survival. CONCLUSION: Tumor location and patient age are important prognostic factors in angiosarcoma. Treatment modality did not significantly affect survival or recurrence, supporting individualized treatment and further investigation into survival determinants.