[The morphological and immunohistochemical study of esophageal pseudosarcomatous and carcinosarcomas--report of 10 cases].

Twenty cases of esophageal carcinosarcoma were diagnosed and treated in this hospital during 1958-1990. Of which, 10 cases were reexamined by morphology and immunohistochemistry stained with 17 different antibodies. The results showed that: (1) There were 6 cases of true carcinosarcoma, 3 of pseudosarcoma and 1 case belonging to primary esophageal malignant fibrohistiocytoma; (2) In the cases of true carcinosarcoma, the tumor tissue displayed certain heterogeneity of carcinomatous and/or sarcomatous components, suggesting a potential for multi-directional differentiation; (3) It may be important that most of the tumors showed an intra-luminal or polypoid growth pattern and fewer metastasis, with a better prognosis. There are 6 surviving cases among 9 followed up over 2 years and the longest survivor has been up to 15 years.