title: Emergent transcutaneous embolization in an advanced carcinosarcoma.
abstract: Active hemorrhage is a life-threatening complication of advanced tumors. It often signifies the terminal stage of the disease and therefore is usually treated with palliative care. Transcutaneous arterial embolization (TAE) is a safe, noninvasive procedure that halts acute tumor-related bleeding thereby providing effective life-saving treatment for patients with non-operable tumors. Carcinosarcoma is an uncommon tumor that generally affects the head and neck, respiratory tract, colon, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. The authors present an interesting case of a rare manifestation in an unusual location. A 60-year-old Caucasian male, who presented with abdominal and groin pain, was found to have a large carcinosarcoma in the retroperitoneal space. The tumor was complicated with an active bleed. Since he was not a candidate for surgical intervention, a TAE was performed. Two days later, the patient was discharged to hospice where he was able to live out the rest of his life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (FD, GGS, YR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (AO, GGS), Coral Gables, Florida.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Gregory G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Schaiberger
authors.forename: Yasser
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Odden
mesh_terms: D002296:Carcinosarcoma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome