Carcinosarcoma de novo of the parotid gland: case report.

BACKGROUND Salivary gland carcinosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignant mixed tumor in which carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements coexist and metastasize together. The tumor may occur in the background of a preexisting pleomorphic adenoma or may arise de novo. We report a case of a woman presenting with a carcinosarcoma de novo of the parotid gland. METHODS AND RESULTS Our patient underwent surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy and demonstrates no evidence of recurrence at 14 months posttreatment. CONCLUSIONS Review of the literature supports combined modality, surgery with postoperative radiation, as the standard of care for this malignancy, although the long-term prognosis for these patients is unclear.