Carcinosarcomas (malignant mixed Müllerian tumor) of the uterus: advances in elucidation of biologic and clinical characteristics.
Carcinosarcoma of the uterus (malignant mixed Müllerian tumor [MMMT]) is an uncommon, typically extremely aggressive neoplasm histologically composed of malignant epithelial and mesenchymal (stromal) elements. Although the literature contains some debate, most authors now agree that most MMMTs derive from sarcomatous differentiation in a high-grade carcinoma. This article reviews the clinical and histopathologic features of this interesting neoplasm, with particular emphasis on recent data supporting MMMTs as primarily epithelial malignant neoplasms with areas of mesenchymal/spindle cell differentiation.
Kernochan
Lauren E
LE
Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
Garcia
Rochelle L
RL
D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000473:pathology; D002296:Carcinosarcoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D018200:Mixed Tumor, Mullerian / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*