Recurrent Parotid Carcinosarcoma in an Asymptomatic Patient

Patterns of Care and Outcomes of Carcinosarcoma of the Major Salivary Glands

OBJECTIVE

Carcinosarcoma of the salivary gland is a rare malignant biphasic tumor. The present study investigates the epidemiology and clinical behavior of carcinosarcoma of the major salivary glands using the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

STUDY DESIGN

Historical cohort study.

SETTING

NCDB.

METHODS

All tumors were selected between 2004 and 2018. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatments, and survival were analyzed. Cox regression analysis was performed in surgically treated patients.

RESULTS

We identified 154 patients in the NCDB with carcinosarcoma of the salivary gland. Median age at diagnosis was 66 years (interquartile range, 55-76). Most patients were male (n = 92, 60%). The majority of tumors were in the parotid (n = 122, 79%), followed by submandibular gland (n = 21, 14%). The majority were high grade (n = 93, 95%), and a significant portion had locally advanced disease (pT3-4; n = 65, 62%). Nodal disease was present in more than one-third (n = 35, 36%). The most common treatment was surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy (n = 75, 49%). With a median follow-up of 36 months, the 3-year overall survival was 57.6% (95% CI, 48.7%-68.0%). In univariable analysis, advanced pT stage, pN+ disease, and positive margins were associated with worse survival. In multivariable analysis, age (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; P = .03) and pT stage (hazard ratio, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.27-4.95; P = .008) remained significant.

CONCLUSION

Carcinosarcoma is a rare salivary gland tumor that frequently presents at a locally advanced stage. Despite multimodality treatments, the outcomes are poor. In the absence of clinical trial data, these data from the NCDB could guide clinicians in the management of this rare disease.

Carcinosarcoma: A rare case report of a recurrent mass in the neck region

Carcinosarcoma, a biphasic malignant mixed tumor, is an extremely rare neoplasm with >1% incidence. This aggressive malignancy is characterized by the presence of two components admixed with each other, i.e., the epithelial component and the mesenchymal component arising from a monoclonal/multiclonal origin or de novo. Most patients usually present between 60 and 65 years of age with no sex predilection. The authors present a case of carcinosarcoma arising as a mass in the neck region of a 14-year-old male. The case is been presented for its rarity of occurrence in the younger age group.