True malignant mixed tumour of a minor salivary gland.

True malignant mixed tumours (carcinosarcomas) of salivary gland origin are rare and not widely recognized lesions. These tumours account for approximately 0.2 per cent of all malignancies of the major salivary glands (Stephen et al., 1986). They usually occur in pre-existing pleomorphic adenomas of major salivary glands and have an aggressive and often rapidly fatal progression. We report a case of carcinosarcoma in a minor salivary gland of the upper lip. Its management and the use of immunocytochemical stains to demonstrate the separate epithelial and connective issue components are discussed.