Prognostic factors in ovarian carcinosarcoma: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of 23 cases

Carcinosarcoma of the ovary is a rare, highly aggressive neoplasm comprisin g histologically of both epithelial and mesenchymal components. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological prognostic factors in ov arian carcinosarcoma, including the immunohistochemical expression of p53 p rotein and Ki67. Methods and results: Twenty-three cases of carcinosarcoma of the ovary were studied retrospectively. The clinicopathological and immunohistochemical p arameters including p53 and Ki67 staining were statistically analysed to in vestigate the prognostic significance of this tumour. The overall 5-year su rvival rate was 27.1%; 100% for stage I, 31.3% for stage II, 10.9% for stag e III and 0% for stage IV. The low-stage group (stages I and II) was found to be a significant prognostic factor for patient survival (P = 0.0113), No ne of the other factors (tumour size, histological type of carcinomatous an d sarcomatous components, mitotic count, Vascular space invasion and immuno reactivity for p53 protein and Ki67) was found to be a statistically signif icant prognostic indicator. Conclusions: Ovarian carcinosarcoma is a rare malignancy with poor prognosi s. In this study, advanced stage appears to be poor prognostic indicator of survival in patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma.