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. 2016:2016:2020146.
doi: 10.1155/2016/2020146. Epub 2016 Feb 18.

Key Features in the Management of Pulmonary Carcinosarcoma

Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos  1 , Davide Patrini  1 , Benjamin Adams  1 , Jonathan Pararajasingham  1 , Rajeev Shukla  1 , Elaine Borg  2 , Martin Hayward  1 , David Lawrence  1
Affiliations

Key Features in the Management of Pulmonary Carcinosarcoma

Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos et al. Case Rep Pulmonol. 2016.

Abstract

Pulmonary carcinosarcoma represents a category of extremely rare tumours accounting for 0.1% of all lung malignancies. It is defined as a poorly differentiated non-small-cell carcinoma that contains a component of sarcoma or sarcoma-like elements. These biphasic tumours typically have a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and early metastases. Preoperative tissue diagnosis is usually difficult due to the heterogeneity of the tumour, with biopsies often just reflecting one element of the tumour. By means of a case illustration and review of the literature, we discuss the optimal management of patients with pulmonary carcinosarcoma.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lung parenchyma showing infiltration by biphasic malignant tumour which in areas shows lipoblastic elements (H&E ×5 objective).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Malignant poorly formed epithelial glands with surrounding malignant spindle cell sarcoma (H&E ×10 objective).
Figure 3
Figure 3
High power photomicrograph picture (Mag ×20) showing carcinoma with atypical glands and atypical stroma showing increased mitotic activity.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Lipoblastic elements seen admixed with the spindle cell component (H&E ×10 objective).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Adenocarcinoma component with acinar growth pattern (H&E ×10 objective).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Immunohistochemical stains CK7 and TTF-1 expressed only by the glandular component highlighting the biphasic nature of the tumour (×10 objective).
Figure 7
Figure 7
S100 immunohistochemical stain positive in the lipoblastic component (×10 objective).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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