[Mandibular odontogenic carcinosarcoma: a case report].

The last W.H.O classification of odontogenic tumors (1992) individualized a new entity called odontogenic carcinosarcoma. We report a case in which we encountered some difficulties to establish the diagnosis. The patient J.Z., a 26 year-old woman was operated on for a left mandibular tumor corresponding, histologically, to an ameloblastic fibrosarcoma. One year later, we noted a submandibular swelling considered as a local recurrence. After resection, the pathologic examination diagnosed a lymph node metastasis from the same tumor. We decided to observe the patient. Three years post operatively, metastatic lymph nodes appeared, involving a double-component tumor: ameloblastic fibrosarcoma and malignant ameloblastoma. These features allowed the diagnosis of odontogenic carcinosarcoma. We insist on difficulties of the diagnosis and the necessity of radical resection of the tumor with neck dissection.