A case report of gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and neuroendocrinal differentiation

Colorectal Carcinoma With Sarcomatoid Components: Report of 15 Cases and Literature Review of an Exceedingly Rare Carcinoma Subtype

Colorectal carcinoma with sarcomatoid components (which includes so-called carcinosarcomas and sarcomatoid carcinomas) is a rare subtype with 50 reported cases in the literature and overlapping criteria with undifferentiated carcinoma. We collected and described 15 cases from 10 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 66 years. Symptoms included abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. Most tumors presented in the rectosigmoid region, with a mean size of 8.2 cm. The sarcomatoid component, on average, represented 58% of the tumors and took many forms, including spindled (10 cases), anaplastic (9 cases), and rhabdoid (3 cases); one case showed osteoid matrix. Tumor budding was usually high, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were usually low. The sarcomatoid component was keratin-positive in 10 cases. One case showed loss of mismatch repair protein expression, and 2 cases showed SMARCA4 loss (1 also with SMARCA2 loss). Molecular testing identified mutations in KRAS (n=1), NRAS (n=2), BRAF (n=2), APC (n=1), and TP53 (n=1) in a few cases. Tumors often presented at advanced stage, with 11 cases pT4, 9 cases with nodal metastases, and 7 cases with distant metastases. Follow-up was available for 10 cases (median: 2 months), with 2 alive without disease, 3 alive with disease, and 5 dead. Our findings roughly corresponded with those in previously reported cases. Colorectal carcinoma with sarcomatoid components is rare and aggressive, with a poor prognosis for many patients. We suggest that spindled cells, anaplasia, heterologous elements, and/or a component with definable sarcomatous lineage be used to distinguish colorectal carcinoma with sarcomatoid components from undifferentiated carcinoma.

Unusual or Uncommon Histology of Gastric Cancer

This review comprehensively examines the diverse spectrum of gastric cancers, focusing on unusual or uncommon histology that presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. While the predominant form, tubular adenocarcinoma, is well-characterized, this review focuses on lesser-known variants, including papillary adenocarcinoma, micropapillary carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), hepatoid adenocarcinoma, gastric choriocarcinoma, gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma, carcinosarcoma, gastroblastoma, parietal cell carcinoma, oncocytic adenocarcinoma, Paneth cell carcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type, undifferentiated carcinoma, and extremely well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Although these diseases have different nomenclatures characterized by distinct histopathological features, these phenotypes often overlap, making it difficult to draw clear boundaries. Furthermore, the number of cases was limited, and the unique histopathological nature and potential pathogenic mechanisms were not well defined. This review highlights the importance of understanding these rare variants for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment planning, and improving patient outcomes. This review emphasizes the need for ongoing research and case studies to enhance our knowledge of these uncommon forms of gastric cancer, which will ultimately contribute to more effective treatments and better prognostic assessments. This review aimed to broaden the pathological narrative by acknowledging and addressing the intricacies of all cancer types, regardless of their rarity, to advance patient care and improve prognosis.

Asymptomatic giant gastric carcinosarcoma

Carcinosarcoma is an aggressive malignant neoplasm separate from adenocarcinoma with need for a radical early treatment for good response and survival. Less than 75 cases have been reported worldwide. Here, we report a case of an asymptomatic carcinosarcoma of stomach in a lady in her 70's presenting incidentally who underwent distal gastrectomy with Billroth II reconstruction for a large epigastric mass along with a review of literature. Although carcinosarcoma in the stomach is a rare entity, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in a rapidly growing gastric growth. It requires further descriptions and collections of individual cases.

Carcinosarcoma of the stomach: four cases that expand the morphologic spectrum of gastric cancer with a primitive phenotype

Carcinosarcoma of the stomach is a rare neoplasm characterized by the presence of both epithelial and mesenchymal malignant components. We describe four examples with a focus on the characterization of the epithelial components and the histogenetic implications for this unique tumor. All patients were men aged 40-79 years. All patients developed metastatic disease, and three of them died 4-19 months after the diagnosis. Sarcomatous elements included poorly differentiated spindle cell sarcoma without distinctive differentiation (n = 4), chondrosarcoma (n = 2), and rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1). In two cases, the sarcomatous component was recognized only in metastatic lesions. Notably, carcinomatous components were characterized by multilineage and primitive cellular differentiation, including carcinoma with enteroblastic (n = 4), hepatoid (n = 3), yolk sac tumor-like (n = 1), trophoblastic (n = 1), and neuroendocrine (n = 1) differentiation, as well as conventional tubular adenocarcinoma (n = 4). On immunohistochemistry, all four cases showed varying degrees of positive expression of primitive phenotypic markers, including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), glypican-3, or SALL4. All tumors showed mutant patterns of p53 staining, exhibiting either diffusely positive or completely negative staining. On the basis of these findings, at least some gastric carcinosarcomas are likely to be derived from carcinoma with a primitive phenotype, including AFP-producing adenocarcinoma. Our observations suggest that sarcomatous differentiation, as well as multilineage differentiation of epithelial components, may represent increased cellular plasticity of gastric carcinoma with a primitive phenotype.

Colonic Carcinosarcoma: Report of a Rare Colorectal Malignancy and Review of Literature

Colonic carcinosarcoma is an extremely rare tumor composed of mixed malignant epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Due to its rarity, its pathogenesis is poorly understood, and there are no specific guidelines for its treatment.

Carcinosarcoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma of the stomach: Two case reports

RATIONALE

Carcinosarcoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma of the stomach are rare, malignant, and biphasic tumors with high mortality. The differential diagnosis of these 2 diseases remains challenging. In the present study, we present 2 cases of carcinosarcoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma of the stomach.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 54-year-old woman was admitted with complaints of epigastric pain for 4 months, but she became serious for 10 days accompanied by melena. A 75-year-old man was admitted with complaints of epigastric pain for 1 month.

DIAGNOSIS

The female had a Borrmann type III irregular ulcerative lesion (5.0 × 4.0 × 1.0 cm) originating from the gastric antrum. The male had Borrmann type I tumor polypoid exophytic (5.0 × 4.0 × 2.0 cm) in the fundus of stomach near the cardia. Both cases were identified as malignant neoplasms by endoscopic biopsy and further confirmed by performing laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy, esophagogastrostomy, and palliative distal subtotal gastrectomy. The postoperative histopathological morphology and immunohistochemistry studies revealed sarcomatoid carcinoma for the female and gastric carcinosarcoma for the male respectively.

INTERVENTIONS

The female patient subsequently underwent laparoscopy-assisted radical distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer followed by systemic chemotherapy with oxaliplatin plus tegafur. The male patient underwent laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and esophagogastrostomy were performed.

OUTCOMES

The female had a mixture of a little poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma and abundant sarcomatoid spindle cell elements, and is still alive healthy up to date for 2 and a half years after surgery by phone follow-up. The male patient had both adenocarcinoma and fibrosarcoma in a single tumor, and died 1 month after the operation.

LESSONS

The present study provides insight into the clinical findings, differential diagnosis, and prognosis of carcinosarcomas and sarcomatoid carcinomas of the stomach. More cases are needed for further studies in the future.

Adenocarcinosarcoma at the esophagogastric junction with long esophageal invasion: a case report

BACKGROUND

Carcinosarcoma of the esophagus or esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is a rare malignancy with both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. There is no report of carcinosarcoma arising from the EGJ wherein the carcinomatous element was adenocarcinoma. We describe a patient with carcinosarcoma of the EGJ in which the carcinomatous element was adenocarcinoma.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 52-year-old man was diagnosed with carcinoma on his EGJ after complaining of appetite loss. All tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9) were within the respective normal ranges. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a 150-mm (100 mm esophageal side and 50 mm gastric side) type 1 tumor on his EGJ. A histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen revealed well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma at the gastric side; however, only necrotic tissue was noted on the esophageal side. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography did not reveal any invasion of the adjacent structures; however, it did show five swollen regional lymph nodes. ¹⁸F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography did not reveal distant metastases. We performed thoracic subtotal esophagectomy, total gastrectomy, and two-field plus left cervical paraesophageal lymphadenectomy. Macroscopically, the lesion consisted of two components: a 7.5-cm type 2 tumor and a 9-cm type 1 tumor at the proximal end of the type 2 tumor. Microscopically, the type 2 tumor showed predominantly solid or cribriform proliferation of tumor cells with clear cytoplasm, which was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic-like differentiation. The tumor cells of the adenocarcinoma component had periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive globules and were positive for sal-like protein 4 (SALL 4) and negative for α-fetoprotein (AFP) or human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2). The type 1 tumors consisted of the adenocarcinoma-like type 2 tumor and spindle cells (sarcomatous component). Part of the sarcomatous component showed cartilage differentiation. The type 2 and type 1 lesions were continuous lesions. The epicenter of the tumor was located at the EGJ. The adenocarcinoma component was present in 10 of 27 resected lymph nodes. The tumor was diagnosed as carcinosarcoma of the EGJ.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a rare patient with carcinosarcoma of the EGJ wherein the carcinomatous element was adenocarcinoma.

Pulmonary carcinosarcoma characterized by small round cells with neuroendocrine, myogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation: An extremely rare case

Carcinosarcoma is a clonal tumor developed through sarcomatoid changes in a carcinoma via the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we present an extremely rare case of pulmonary carcinosarcoma characterized by components suggesting pluripotency, namely neuroendocrine, myogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation, based on immunohistochemical analysis. A 42-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital. Analysis of tumor tissue after right upper lobe lobectomy revealed a transition between carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. Immunohistochemical analysis suggested immortality owing to complete loss of p53 and diffuse expression of p16 in both the carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. There were also scattered cell groups expressing aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1, SOX2, CD133, and c-kit, suggesting the possible presence of cancer stem cells. Our findings in this case suggested that the EMT may play a key role in mediating the immortality of tumor cells in carcinosarcoma and facilitating the pluripotency of cancer stem cells.

Carcinosarcoma of Stomach Confined to the Mucosa

Carcinosarcoma is a malignant tumor composed of both epithelial and mesenchymal malignant tumor components. A 78-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of hematemesis and tarry stool. An emergency gastrointestinal endoscopic examination revealed active bleeding from an ulcerative lesion on the posterior wall of the gastric body; endoscopic hemostasis was successfully performed. A gastrointestinal endoscopy performed two months later showed a polypoid lesion at the same place where the ulcer had been. The biopsy specimen was histologically diagnosed as well to moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection under a diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma. A 28 × 15 mm polypoid tumor was resected from the gastric body, and was found on microscopic examination to consist of both carcinoma and sarcoma components, showing atypical spindle cells, which were positive for α-smooth muscular actin, calponin, and h-caldesmon, but negative for CD34, CD117 (c-kit), desmin, and dog 1. These findings led to a diagnosis of gastric carcinosarcoma. The tumor was confined to the mucous membrane. Lymph node metastasis was found in one node and contained only the carcinoma component. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient lived without recurrence for 2 years. Carcinosarcoma of the stomach is a rare tumor with high malignant potential and poor prognosis. Careful follow up is required for early detection of any recurrence.

Gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation: a case report and review

We report an unusual case of gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and neudoendocrinal differentiation in a 71-year-old Japanese female. Gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and neuroendocrinal differentiation is a rare tumor. The tumor developed in the body of the stomach and was exophytic in appearance. By histochemical analysis, the tumor was shown a part of positive for desmin and myoglobin and a part of positive for synaphtophysin and vimentin.We conclude that, though rare, gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and neuroendocrinal differentiation thus is reviewed in the English literatures.

Carcinosarcoma of the stomach: a case report

Carcinosarcoma is a rare malignant, biphasic tumor comprised of carcinoma and sarcoma components. In the gastrointestinal tract, carcinosarcoma is most frequently seen in the esophagus and rarely in the stomach. We report a 51-year-old female patient with 2-month-history of epigastric pain and dyspepsia. Endoscopic finding revealed a huge ulcerative lesion that infiltrated from the antrum to the mid-body. An endoscopically taken biopsy revealed poorly differentiated malignant round cell neoplasm. After the palliative subtotal gastrectomy, immunohistochemical studies showed two positive reactions for the epithelial marker and mesenchymal marker. Based on the above findings, the patient was diagnosed with gastric carcinosarcoma. The immunohistochemical analysis is a critical method in making an accurate diagnosis of carcinosarcoma.

Spindle cell carcinoma of the larynx with rhabdomyoblastic heterologous element: a rare form of divergent differentiation

Spindle cell (sarcomatoid) carcinoma of the larynx is a rare subtype of squamous cell carcinoma that shows a prominent spindle cell component with a mesenchymal phenotype. Heterologous elements may be seen in these spindled areas and usually consist of osteosarcomatous or chondrosarcomatous differentiation. We describe an unusual spindle cell carcinoma of the vocal cord in a 68-year-old male which demonstrated rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation as confirmed by desmin and myogenin immunoreactivity. Thus rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation adds to the phenotypic spectrum of spindle cell carcinomas of the larynx and should be considered before invoking a diagnosis of true rhabdomyosarcoma of the larynx.

Rapidly deforming gastric carcinosarcoma with osteoblastic component: An autopsy case report

Carcinosarcomas are rare, malignant, biphasic tumors simultaneously comprising carcinoma and sarcoma in a single tumor. We present an extremely rare case of gastric carcinosarcoma with an osteoblastic component that drastically changed its shape within 2 mo. A 59-year-old male patient presented to the emergency outpatient unit with a complaint of black stool. Gastrointestinal endoscopy showed an ulcerated mass in the cardia of the lesser curvature of the stomach. Biopsy specimens revealed only adenocarcinoma. Two months later, the ulcerated lesion drastically changed its shape into an exophytic tumor. Total gastrectomy was performed. In the resected specimen, the gastric tumor contained both adenocarcinoma and sarcoma components with lace-like osteoid. The patient died 7 mo after the operation, and an autopsy was performed. In the autopsy, widespread metastases were present in the liver, lung, lymph nodes and peritoneum. In this report, we describe a case of gastric carcinosarcoma and presume its tumorigenesis based on the autopsy findings.

Gastric carcinosarcoma: A case report and review of the literature

Carcinosarcoma of the stomach is a rare biphasic tumor that consists of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. The common carcinoma component is tubular or papillary adenocarcinoma and the mesenchymal sarcomatous components are variable but may include leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of gastric carcinosarcoma and to present a review of the available literature. We report a case of carcinosarcoma in a 62-year-old female including the clinical and histopathological features of this tumor. Following ultrasound and computed tomography scans, laparotomy was performed, revealing a large mass, followed by radical surgery. Macroscopically, a polypoid tumor was observed. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and poorly differentiated sarcoma with a high mitotic index and necrotic areas. At present, the achievement of a definitive diagnosis is dependent on immunohistochemical staining and radical surgery. Thus, more effective diagnostic methods are required to improve patient survival.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of colon: extremely poor prognosis

Colonic sarcomatoid carcinomas are known to be extremely rare tumors, with only 22 cases reported either as sarcomatoid carcinomas or carcinosarcomas in the literature. The known characteristics are rapid growth, a high recurrence rate, and an extremely poor prognosis. Herein we report a case of a patient who had a sarcomatoid carcinoma of the sigmoid colon and died only 22 days after surgery due to rapid tumor growth.

Carcinosarcoma of the stomach: A case report and review of the literature

Carcinosarcomas are rare, malignant, biphasic tumors. We report the case of a 62-year-old man with gastric carcinosarcoma, along with its clinical, macroscopic and histopathological features. Macroscopically, a specimen of deformed stomach was obtained that measured 200 mm × 150 mm × 100 mm. A 150 mm × 100 mm × 50 mm exophytic tumoral mass (Borrmann typeI) was found, which involved the posterior wall from the cardia to the antrum. Histopathologically, a mixed type of malignancy was revealed: an adenocarcinoma with intestinal metaplasia, with interposed fascicles of fusiform atypical cells and numerous large, rounded and oval cells. The tumor showed positive histochemistry for cytokeratin 18, epithelial membrane antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, chromogranin A and vimentin. Liver metastases were diagnosed 8 mo postoperatively, and the patient died 4 mo later. A review of the available literature is also presented.

Gastric carcinosarcoma presenting as a huge epigastric mass

Gastric carcinosarcoma often presents with an elevated lesion or increased thickness of the stomach wall. Histological diagnosis is achieved using conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining to confirm the coexistence of both epithelial and mesenchymal elements. We report a case of gastric carcinosarcoma presenting as a large mass in the epigastric region. Specimens obtained by endoscopic biopsy and surgical excision showed diffuse proliferation of atypical cells in sheet formation. No mucus production or glandular structures were apparent, but immunoreactivity for both epithelial and mesenchymal markers was noted. These findings led to a definitive diagnosis of gastric carcinosarcoma. Immunohistochemical analysis is useful for the early diagnosis and treatment of gastric carcinosarcoma.

Gastric carcinosarcoma presenting as a huge epigastric mass

Gastric carcinosarcoma often presents with an elevated lesion or increased thickness of the stomach wall. Histological diagnosis is achieved using conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining to confirm the coexistence of both epithelial and mesenchymal elements. We report a case of gastric carcinosarcoma presenting as a large mass in the epigastric region. Specimens obtained by endoscopic biopsy and surgical excision showed diffuse proliferation of atypical cells in sheet formation. No mucus production or glandular structures were apparent, but immunoreactivity for both epithelial and mesenchymal markers was noted. These findings led to a definitive diagnosis of gastric carcinosarcoma. Immunohistochemical analysis is useful for the early diagnosis and treatment of gastric carcinosarcoma.

Gastric carcinosarcoma with neuroendocrine differentiation as the carcinoma component and leiomyosarcomatous and myofibroblastic differentiation as the sarcomatous component

Gastric carcinosarcoma with neuroendocrine differentiation is a very rare neoplasm. In this article we present such a case. The gastroendoscopic examination of a 59-year-old Japanese man disclosed gastric cancer during follow-up after operation for rectal cancer. Subsequently, total gastrectomy was carried out because of gastric cancer. A large tumor measuring 9.2 x 8.4 cm was observed in the posterior wall of the upper portion of the stomach. The tumor was composed of carcinoma and sarcomatous cells, and the histological transition of both components was observed. Immunohistochemically, carcinoma and sarcomatous cells were positive for cytokeratin CAM5.2. The carcinoma contained adenocarcinoma and malignant cells with neuroendocrine differentiation. The sarcomatous component showed leiomyosarcomatous and myofibroblastic differentiation. The present tumor is the fifth case of gastric carcinosarcoma with neuroendocrine differentiation and the first case of gastric carcinosarcoma with myofibroblastic differentiation. Pathologists should bear in mind that gastric carcinosarcoma may show various types of differentiation.

Carcinosarcoma of the colon: report of a rare tumor

Carcinosarcoma is a rare tumor that shows both epithelial and stromal malignant differentiation. Most reported cases of carcinosarcoma affect the female genital tract (and are called malignant mixed müllerian tumors), but there are also some isolated reports of cases affecting the lung and the head and neck area. Carcinosarcomas only rarely affect the gastrointestinal tract, mainly the esophagus. To the best of our knowledge, only eight cases of carcinosarcoma of the colon have been reported to date. For some lesions, the term 'sarcomatoid carcinoma' is preferred to 'carcinosarcoma', as both stromal and epithelial cells have shown cytokeratin expression on immunohistochemistry. The expression 'carcinosarcoma' should be applied only to those lesions, the stromal elements of which do not express epithelial markers. We report a new case of carcinosarcoma affecting the left colon. The most unique feature of this tumor is that it shows chondro-and osteosarcomatous differentiation, a feature that has been described previously in only one colonic carcinosarcoma. We discuss the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of this lesion as well as its possible histogenesis.

Carcinosarcoma of the stomach

In the gastrointestinal tract, carcinosarcomas are most frequently seen in the esophagus. Carcinosarcoma in the stomach is a rare tumor. We report a carcinosarcoma of the antrum of stomach. The tumor was polypoid and exophytic in appearance and located in the antrum. Immunohistochemical studies showed positivity for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen and cytoplasmic carcinoembryonic antigen in the epithelial component. Positive staining with vimentin, desmin and focal smooth muscle actin and negative staining with chromogranin were observed in spindle cells. Nuclear positive staining was observed with p53 and Ki-67 in both glandular and spindle atypical cells.

Carcinosarcoma (pure endocrine cell carcinoma with sarcoma components) of the stomach

A case of gastric carcinosarcoma with a rare histology is reported. Grossly, a huge ulcerative tumor (Borrmann type 3 tumor, measuring 10 x 6 cm) was observed on the lesser curvature side of the stomach. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of carcinoma and sarcoma components. The main tumor component consisted of an endocrine cell carcinoma exhibiting positive reactions for cytokeratins, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and CD56. The sarcoma component occupied less than 10% of the entire tumor area and consisted of spindle cells, some of which showed a rhabdomyosarcoma differentiation. Some of the spindle cells also showed an atypical cartilage or osseous differentiation. This sarcoma component exhibited positive staining not only for vimentin and desmin, but also for cytokeratins. Transitions between these two components were occasionally observed. These findings suggest that the sarcoma component in our case most likely originates from the endocrine cell carcinoma component.