Carcinosarcoma of the ureter: a rare, pleomorphic, aggressive malignancy

Abstract

Aim: To examine histological nature and clinical process of ureteral carcinosarcomas.

Methods: We report on a new case of carcinosarcoma of the ureter. The literature was reviewed and histological and clinical features were elucidated.

Results: Fourteen cases of ureteral carcinosarcomas have been reported. The nomenclature used for these tumors either in the pathology reports or in literature is confusing. In contrary to obscure tumor biology, prognosis was clearly bad as the majority of the patients died within 2 years after diagnosis.

Conclusions: Terminology confusion is due to the rarity of this entity and lack of its biology knowledge. Patients present after the age of 60 with hematuria and obstruction. Nephroureterectomy is the only hope of cure but, due to tumor aggressiveness, recurrences occur almost always and prognosis is poor.