Carcinosarcoma of salivary glands with unusual stromal components. Report of two cases and review of the literature

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology and endodontics oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology and endodontics, 1995-06, Vol.79 (6), p.738-746
• Main Authors: Carson, H J, Tojo, D P, Chow, J M, Hammadeh, R, Raslan, W F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Carcinosarcoma - pathology; Dentistry; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Palate, Soft - pathology; Parotid Neoplasms - pathology; Salivary Gland Neoplasms - pathology; Salivary Glands, Minor - pathology
• ISSN: 1079-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/S1079-2104(05)80309-9

Carcinosarcomas are rare neoplasms that exhibit heterologous malignant epithelial and stromal components. We report two cases of salivary gland carcinosarcoma with immunohistochemical analysis and clinical follow-up that provide insights into the pathogenesis and behavior of these tumors. In one case, a 51-year-old black woman had a 15-year history of a hard, asymptomatic, infraauricular mass that recently had undergone rapid growth. The tumor showed adenocarcinoma and osteosarcoma. She died 9 months after diagnosis. In another case, a 78-year-old white woman had a large soft palate mass that had been present for several years and had recently caused dysphagia. The tumor showed adenocarcinoma and leiomyosarcoma. The patient is alive at 9 months follow-up. Although malignant epithelial and stromal components characterize carcinosarcomas, immunohistochemical studies suggest that both elements are derived from a common precursor cell, possibly of myoepithelial origin. These cases support this concept and perhaps suggest a spectrum of differentiation that this precursor cell may exhibit.