Tracheal Glomangiosarcoma with Multiple Skin Metastasis

Glomangiosarcoma, also known as malignant glomous tumor, is an exceedingly rare cutaneous neoplasm. The majority of glomangiosarcomas do not metastasize despite exhibiting the histologic features of malignancy (1). Moreover, there has been some debate as to whether a malignant glomus tumor has true malignant potential (2). We report a case of glomangiosarcoma that showed highly aggressive multiple skin metastases. A 47-year-old male presented with a slow growing tumor with paroxysmal pain of the right shoulder, right hip, and left thigh of one year’s duration. In 1996, he experienced breathlessness and was diagnosed with a tracheal glomus tumor by biopsy. He was not given any intervention because of his insignificant symptoms. In 1998, he experienced the same symptoms and underwent a tracheal operation. In 2000, he has relapsed with a glomus tumour on his trachea and underwent laser excision with radiation therapy. The biospy report of the specimen was also of glomus tumor. In 2001, a second relapse in the tracheal area occurred, and he underwent total laryngectomy. At that time, the surgical biopsy of the tracheal tumor was interpreted as a glomangiosarcoma with involvement of the right vocal cord and cricoid cartilage, and with extension to the anterior soft tissue of the neck. The resection margin was clear, and no evidence of metastasis was found in two lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive reactions for vimentin and smooth muscle actin and negativity for CD34, S-100, EMA, and cytokeratin. About seven months later, a suprastomal mass and abnormal right arm motor function were detected. A neck computed tomographic (CT) examination revealed a local recurrent laryngeal cancer with right thyroid The Journal of Dermatology Vol. 31: 776–778, 2004