GASTRIC STUMP CARCINOSARCOMA WITH RHABDOMYOSARCOMATOUS DIFFERENTIATION

Gastric carcinosarcoma is an unusual tumor and its occurrence in the g astric stump is extremely rare, A report is presented here of a unique case of gastric stump carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differ entiation in a 74-year-old man. The patient had undergone partial gast rectomy with gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II method) 30 years previousl y. The tumor had both adenocarcinoma and sarcoma components, and an im munohistochemical study suggested a focal transition between these com ponents. The main sarcomatous components showed fibrosarcomatous featu res with a scattered distribution of rounded tumor cells, whose rhabdo myosarcomatous differentiation was immunohistochemically determined. U ltrastructural examination supported the rhabdomyosarcomatous natures. Experience with the present tumor indicates that carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation can occur in the gastric stump an d that this disease is capable of aggressive behavior.