Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2013 Jun;6(2):114-116.

Carcinosarcoma of the Maxillary Sinus

• Moon JK
• Kim AY
• Chang DS
• Park KY

Abstract

Carcinosarcoma is a highly malignant tumor characterized by dual malignant histologic differentiation of epithelial and mesenchymal components. The tumor is extremely rare in the sinonasal tract. We report a case of a 62-year-old man with carcinosarcoma involving the maxillary sinus.

Keyword

Carcinosarcoma; Maxillary sinus

MeSH Terms

Carcinosarcoma
Maxillary Sinus

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Endoscopy and scan findings. (A) Endoscopic photograph demonstrating huge mass fillings in nasal cavity (M) and medial wall displacement of the maxillary sinus (arrow). The septum (S) and inferior turbinate (IT) can be observed. (B-D) Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scan revealing large soft tissue mass with an ill-defined outline and an irregular peripheral enhancement on the right maxillary sinus. The lateral wall and anterior and inferior wall of the right maxillary sinus was focally destructed and orbital floor destruction was found.

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  Fig. 2 Histological photos show two different epithelial and stromal components. (A-D) Photomicrographs of samples following staining with hematoxylin-eosin. (A) Beneath the surface epithelium, the tumor is composed of irregular nests of atypical squamous cells abutting against the proliferation of highly cellular spindle cells (×40). At high magnifications, mixtures of well to moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (B) and sarcoma with foci of osteosarcomatous differentiation (C, D) can be identified (×200). (E, F) Immunohistochemical stains clarify abrupt transition from carcinoma to sarcomatous elements. (E) Nests of carcinomatous area are reactive for cytokeratin but not vimentin (×200). (F) Sarcomatous area is reactive for vimentin but not cytokeratin (×200).

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