Long-term recurrence-free survival in a patient with pancreatic carcinosarcoma: a case report with a literature review

Med Oncol. 2012 Mar;29(1):140-3. doi: 10.1007/s12032-010-9804-9. Epub 2011 Jan 25.

Abstract

Here, we presented a case of carcinosarcoma of the pancreas in a 53-year-old woman. The carcinosarcoma was in the head of pancreas. She underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy. The tumor was grossly yellowish-whitish. Histologic evaluation of the tumor revealed 2 elements separated from each other. One component was conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and the other component showed sarcomatous growth pattern composed of pleomorphic spindle cells. Immunohistochemically, the adenocarcinoma component was reactive for antibodies to cytokeratin 18 and epithelial membrane antigen. The sarcomatous component was reactive for smooth muscle antibody. These findings led to a diagnosis of pancreatic carcinosarcoma. The patient was treated with gemcitabine, adriamycin, and cisplatin after the operation. Although previously reported patients with pancreatic carcinosarcoma showed a very poor outcome, this patient has remained free of recurrence for 20 months, which is the longest recurrence-free survival time recorded for this type of cancer. This treatment plan may be a feasible option.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinosarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Carcinosarcoma / pathology
  • Carcinosarcoma / surgery
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Deoxycytidine / administration & dosage
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Gemcitabine
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Pancreaticoduodenectomy
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Deoxycytidine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cisplatin
  • Gemcitabine