Primary cutaneous carcinosarcoma: clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical analysis of eight cases.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous carcinosarcoma is a rare biphasic tumor comprising malignant epithelial and heterologous mesenchymal elements. Data on the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of this tumor are scarce. The objective of this study was to describe the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of cutaneous carcinosarcoma.

METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from Spain. We reviewed the records of eight patients with cutaneous carcinosarcoma who were diagnosed from 2009 to 2019.

RESULTS: The mean patient age at diagnosis was 72.13 years (range 44-91 years), and there was a male predilection (6 cases). The most common site of cutaneous carcinosarcoma was the head and neck (5 cases). Carcinosarcomas demonstrated variable histopathological and immunohistochemical features. Follow-up was available for 7-8 patients. There were two cases of local recurrence and one case of metastasis. Two patients died from the tumor during the entire follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of cases in this study was limited, our results provide valuable insight into the clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of primary cutaneous carcinosarcoma.