Hemangiopericytoma is a rare type of tumor that arises from pericytes, which are specialized cells surrounding small blood vessels. Because these tumors can occur almost anywhere in the body where capillaries exist, their signs and symptoms vary widely depending on the tumor’s location, size, and whether it affects surrounding tissues or organs.
The **most common signs of hemangiopericytoma** include:
– **A painless, slowly growing mass or lump:** This is often the earliest and most noticeable sign. The tumor may appear as a firm, well-defined swelling under the skin or deeper within soft tissues. Because it grows gradually, it might be ignored initially.
– **Pain or discomfort:** As the tumor enlarges, it can press on nearby nerves, muscles, or organs, causing localized pain or tenderness. Pain may be intermittent or constant and can worsen with movement if the tumor is near joints or muscles.
– **Symptoms related to compression of adjacent structures:** Depending on the tumor’s location, it may cause symptoms by pressing on nerves, blood vessels, or organs. For example:
– If near nerves, it can cause numbness, tingling, or weakness.
– If near blood vessels, it might cause swelling or changes in blood flow.
– If in the abdomen or chest, it can cause organ dysfunction or discomfort.
– **Neurological symptoms:** When hemangiopericytomas occur in the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord), symptoms often relate to increased pressure or irritation of neural tissue. These can include:
– Headaches, often persistent and worsening over time.
– Seizures or convulsions.
– Weakness or numbness in limbs.
– Visual disturbances or changes in mental status.
– Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure such as nausea, vomiting, or balance problems.
– **Bleeding or ulceration:** In rare cases, if the tumor is close to the skin surface or mucous membranes, it may ulcerate or bleed, sometimes causing blood-stained discharge.
– **Systemic symptoms:** Although uncommon, large or aggressive tumors may cause general symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or fever.
Because hemangiopericytomas are highly vascular tumors, they may sometimes present with signs related to abnormal blood vessel growth, such as:
– A pulsatile mass (one that seems to pulse with the heartbeat).
– Bruising or discoloration over the tumor due to fragile blood vessels.
In some cases, the tumor may be discovered incidentally during imaging studies done for other reasons, as early symptoms can be subtle or nonspecific.
The **signs can be grouped by tumor location**:
– **Soft tissue (limbs, trunk):** A painless lump that gradually enlarges, possible localized pain or swelling.
– **Head and neck region:** Swelling or mass, possible facial numbness or pain, difficulty swallowing or breathing if near airway structures.
– **Central nervous system:** Headaches, seizures, neurological deficits, symptoms of increased intracranial pressure.
– **Abdominal or pelvic region:** Abdominal pain or fullness, urinary or bowel symptoms if organs are compressed.
Because hemangiopericytomas can mimic other tumors or benign masses, their diagnosis often requires imaging studies like MRI or CT scans, followed by biopsy. The signs alone are not definitive but raise suspicion when a vascular, firm, and progressively enlarging mass is found.
In summary, the signs of hemangiopericytoma are primarily related to the presence of a growing mass that may or may not cause pain, along with symptoms caused by pressure on nearby structures. Neurological symptoms occur if the tumor is in the brain or spinal cord. Early detection is challenging due to the tumor’s rarity and nonspecific presentation.
