Primary carcinosarcoma of the skin: report of a case and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND

Carcinosarcoma is a biphasic tumor composed of intimately admixed epithelial and mesenchymal elements, both of which are malignant. Primary cutaneous involvement is extremely rare. Therefore it has been difficult to characterize the clinical course of carcinosarcoma of the skin.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a further case of carcinosarcoma of the skin and to provide a review of the literature.

METHODS

The clinical records of the patient and histopathology of the neoplasm are reviewed. In addition, the results of all previously reported cases of carcinosarcoma of the skin are compiled for reexamination.

RESULTS

After complete excision of the carcinosarcoma, the patient shows no evidence of disease for 9 months. Long-term follow-up is needed because of the risk of recurrence or metastasis that may occur with this neoplasm.

CONCLUSION

Carcinosarcoma of the skin appears to be associated with a good prognosis when compared with similar tumors located elsewhere. Metastasis (with or without documented mortality) has been reported in 3 of 16 patients (16.7%). Death from local disease has been reported in one additional patient (6.3%). However, further cases with long-term follow-up are needed in order to better understand the nature of this cutaneous neoplasm.