Imaging findings of pulmonary carcinosarcoma: A case report

Abstract

Pulmonary carcinosarcoma is a rare lung tumor, which contains both malignant carcinomatous and heterotopic sarcomatous components. There are only few case reports on the imaging diagnosis of this rare tumor. Herein, we present the radiological findings of this rare tumor, which was suspected on computed tomography (CT) scan due to atypical CT findings of malignant lung mass (not usually seen in bronchogenic carcinoma) and was finally confirmed histologically.

Imaging, Histopathologic, and Treatment Nuances of Pulmonary Carcinosarcoma

“…Pulmonary carcinosarcoma was first described in the literature in 1908 but remains poorly understood due to their rarity and complex features. A 2004 classification by the World Health Organization (WHO) grouped sarcomatoid carcinomas into several categories, including pleomorphic carcinoma, spindle cell carcinoma, giant cell carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, and pulmonary blastoma [ 10 ]. These tumours have significant overlap and share many common features, but there are enough histological differences to suggest that they are separate entities [ 11 ].…”

Key Features in the Management of Pulmonary Carcinosarcoma

“…Large low attenuation areas are found on CT that correspond to regions of necrosis and myxoid degeneration. Calcification may be observed within the primary tumour as well as metastases on CT scan, which would likely represent an osteosarcomatous or chondrosarcomatous component to the tumour [ 4 ].…”