CARCINOSARCOMA OF SALIVARY-GLANDS WITH UNUSUAL STROMAL COMPONENTS

Carcinosarcomas are rare neoplasms that exhibit heterologous malignant epithelial and stromal components. We report two cases of salivary gl and carcinosarcoma with immunohistochemical analysis and clinical foll ow-up that provide insights into the pathogenesis and behavior of thes e tumors. In one case, a 51-year-old black woman had a 15-year history of a hard, asymptomatic, infraauricular mass that recently had underg one rapid growth. The tumor showed adenocarcinoma and osteosarcoma. Sh e died 9 months after diagnosis. In another case, a 78-year-old white woman had a large soft palate mass that had been present for several y ears and had recently caused dysphagia. The tumor showed adenocarcinom a and leiomyosarcoma. The patient is alive at 9 months follow-up. Alth ough malignant epithelial and stromal components characterize carcinos arcomas, immunohistochemical studies suggest that both elements are de rived from a common precursor cell, possibly of myoepithelial origin, These cases support this concept and perhaps suggest a spectrum of dif ferentiation that this precursor cell may exhibit.