Carcinosarcoma (malignant mixed tumor) of the parotid: report of a case with a pure rhabdomyosarcoma component.
BACKGROUND
Carcinosarcoma or true malignant mixed tumor of the parotid gland is extremely rare, accounting for < 1% of all salivary gland malignancies.


METHODS
A 63-year-old woman presented with a 5-cm right parotid mass which was resected with a radical parotidectomy and infratemporal fossa dissection.


RESULTS
The tumor contained two distinctive histologic patterns, that of a poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma and a pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. Additionally, a residual focus of pleomorphic adenoma was present peripherally. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies confirmed the skeletal muscle differentiation.


CONCLUSIONS
The pattern of combined rhabdomyosarcoma and ductal carcinoma has not been previously reported and adds further evidence to the myoepithelial derivation of these tumors.
Gandour-Edwards
R F
RF
Department of Pathology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento 95817.
Donald
P J
PJ
Vogt
P J
PJ
Munn
R
R
Min
K W
KW
D002296:Carcinosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011878:Radiotherapy; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed