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Cutaneous carcinosarcoma: adnexal vs. epidermal types define high‐ and low‐risk tumors. Results of a meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Tran Tien Anh,
Muller Sigfrid,
Chaudahri Prakash J.,
Carlson J. Andrew
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.0303-6987.2005.00260.x
Subject(s) - atypical fibroxanthoma , carcinosarcoma , pathology , trichoepithelioma , medicine , keratin , carcinoma , basal cell carcinoma , vimentin , keratin 8 , immunophenotyping , immunohistochemistry , basal cell , antigen , immunology
Objective: We report four cases of cutaneous carcinosarcoma (CS) and perform a meta‐analysis of the cutaneous CS literature. Results: CS occurred in elderly patients (mean of 80 years) on sun‐damaged skin, and were keratotic papules of short duration. They did not recur after excision. CS exhibited basal cell carcinoma mixed with atypical fibroxanthoma cell populations. Immunophenotyping revealed vimentin+/keratin– spindle cells and vimentin–/keratin+ epithelial cells. Three cases exhibited p53 protein expression of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. Literature review identified 38 cases of cutaneous CS that could be broadly classified into two distinct groups. Epidermal‐derived (basal or squamous cell carcinoma epithelial component) CS arose on the sun‐damaged skin of the head and neck of elderly males (mean age 72 years) and had a 70% 5‐year disease‐free survival. In contrast, adnexal CS (spiradenocarcinoma, porocarcinoma, proliferating tricholemmal cystic carcinoma, or matrical carcinoma) occurred in younger patients (mean age 58 years), showed recent growth in a long‐standing nodule and had a 25% 5‐year disease‐free survival. Age less than 65 years, recent growth, long‐standing skin tumor, and tumor size greater than 2 cm significantly correlated with poor outcome. Conclusions: Cutaneous CS is an aggressive skin cancer with high risk for advanced disease. Significant risk factors exist whose identification will allow for better management of CS patients.