title: Carcinosarcoma of the ovary: a review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Carcinosarcoma of the ovary is a rare tumor with a grim prognosis. This article critically reviews the literature pertinent to the pathology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and outcome of patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma (OCS).
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE was searched for all research articles published in English between January 1, 1981 and August 30, 2011 which reported on patients diagnosed with carcinosarcoma of the ovary. Given the rarity of this tumor, studies were not limited by design or number of reported patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with OCS generally present with advanced stage disease, and symptoms similar to those of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Retrospective studies have shown that cytoreductive surgery improves outcomes in patients with OCS. Similarly, platinum-based chemotherapy appears to be active in the treatment of OCS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ovarian carcinosarcomas are rare and aggressive tumors, associated with a poor prognosis. The mainstay of treatment remains cytoreductive surgical effort for metastatic disease followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. The role of targeted therapies may be promising in the treatment of OCS.
authors.affiliation: Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. mdelcarmen@partners.org
authors.forename: Marcela G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: del Carmen
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Birrer
authors.forename: John O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Schorge
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002296:Carcinosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor