Primary carcinosarcoma of the ear: case report and review of the literature.

Primary carcinosarcoma is a very rare neoplasm comprising two intermingling malignant components-epithelial and mesenchymal. The authors report a new case of primary cutaneous carcinosarcoma involving the helix of the ear. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed epithelial components of both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas with a partially ossified sarcomatous-like component.Cutaneous carcinosarcoma (CS) is a neoplasm with dual epithelial and mesenchymal malignant components. It is most commonly seen in elderly males on sun-exposed areas of the body.(1-2) The histogenesis of CS is currently under debate. Immunohistochemistry plays an integral part in the diagnosis of this rare biphasic neoplasm. After a review of the literature, the authors were able to find only four other reported cases of CS involving the ear.(1,3) They present the fifth case of primary cutaneous CS, which involved the helix of the ear.