BACKGROUND: True malignant mixed tumor, also known as carcinosarcoma, is a salivary gland type malignant neoplasm, which is extremely rare, and only a few cases arising in the larynx have been previously reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a case of true malignant mixed tumor arising in the larynx of a 65-year-old woman successfully treated with surgery. Histologically, the neoplasm was composed of variably mixed, neoplastic glandular, spindle, and chondroid tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses showed a peculiar expression of myoepithelial markers such as p63 and calponin in the glandular epithelial component, whereas malignant spindle cell proliferation was immunoreactive for calponin and actin. CONCLUSION: These results strengthen the hypothesis that these neoplasms may develop from a divergent differentiation of a totipotent, myoepithelial precursor cell. Despite the unfavorable prognosis that has always been described for these neoplasms, the patient is alive with no evidence of recurrences 5 years after surgery.
BACKGROUND: True malignant mixed tumor, also known as carcinosarcoma, is a salivary gland type malignant neoplasm, which is extremely rare, and only a few cases arising in the larynx have been previously reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a case of true malignant mixed tumor arising in the larynx of a 65-year-old woman successfully treated with surgery. Histologically, the neoplasm was composed of variably mixed, neoplastic glandular, spindle, and chondroid tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses showed a peculiar expression of myoepithelial markers such as p63 and calponin in the glandular epithelial component, whereas malignant spindle cell proliferation was immunoreactive for calponin and actin. CONCLUSION: These results strengthen the hypothesis that these neoplasms may develop from a divergent differentiation of a totipotent, myoepithelial precursor cell. Despite the unfavorable prognosis that has always been described for these neoplasms, the patient is alive with no evidence of recurrences 5 years after surgery.
Authors: Andrea Ciorba; Chiara Bianchini; Valeria Iannini; Antonio Faita; Enzo Bianchini; Francesco Stomeo; Stefano Pelucchi; Antonio Pastore Journal: Case Rep Otolaryngol Date: 2014-07-14