Carcinosarcoma (Malignant Mixed Mesodermal Tumor) of the Uterus

Mixed Mullerian tumors of the uterine corpus: a review

“…Other investigators (23)(24)(25), whilst agreeing with the combination tumor theory, have noted that in some cases of carcinosarcoma, there were areas of pure endometrial adenocarcinoma developing directly from the epithelium and separate from the main tumor mass. These authors suggest that in some carcinosarcomas the endometrial glands are an integral part of the tumor supporting the view that these tumors represent the simultaneous transformation of endometrial glands to carcinoma and of endometrial stroma to sarcoma in response to common oncogenic factors.…”

Malignant mixed müllerian tumors of the uterus

“…There are no survivors in this group. Others1.2,6,7.10,12,13-16.18,20.22, 23 have reported previous pelvic irradiation in from 3.9 to 38% of their patients.…”

“…This association has been observed by others.14J6Js Some authors1.6~9J2.22 believe that carcinosarcomas and mixed mesodermal tumors have the same clinical course and prognosis. In thor~.1,2,6.8,10,12,14,15,18, 23 Vaginal discharge and other series,14J5.20 mixed mesodermal tumors appear to have a worse prognosis than carcinosarcomas, although there is little else that distinguishes the 2 groups except the presence of one or more heterologous elements. T h e 2-year and 5-year survival rates for carcinosarcoma were not significantly different from the corresponding survival rates of mixed mesodermal tumor in this study.…”

“…This association has been observed by others.14J6Js Some authors1.6~9J2.22 believe that carcinosarcomas and mixed mesodermal tumors have the same clinical course and prognosis. In thor~.1,2,6.8,10,12,14,15,18, 23 Vaginal discharge and with mixed mesoder f A ? .tgrnsrb later died and are included with the 5-year nonsurvivors.…”

“…O t h e r~~~~J~~ 22. 23 have accepted the presence of rhabdomyoblasts without cross striations or the pattern of rhabdomyosarcoma without striated cells as evidence of heteroplasia. We feel that the finding of cross striations is often dependent upon the diligence of the search, the preservation of the tissue, the degree of sampling, and the acceptance of less well-developed striations; thus we do not insist that they be present.…”