Abstract
Background : Heterogeneous carcinosarcoma of the uterus is very rare. Herein, we report a case of heterogeneous carcinosarcoma of the uterus with metastasis of the rhabdomyosarcoma component to the pleura.
Case : The patient was a 69-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, who consulted our hospital for irregular vaginal bleeding. Operation was carried out after endometrial cytology and biopsy, and the diagnosis of heterogeneous carcinosarcoma was made by histology. After 6 months, pleural effusion was detected. Cytologic examination of the pleural aspirate revealed tumor cells containing hyperchromatic and irregularly shaped nuclei. Immunohistochemical examination using the cell block technique revealed positive staining of the tumor cells for myogenic markers, but negative staining for epithelial markers.
Conclusion : Although heterogeneous carcinosarcoma of the uterus is very rare, early and accurate diagnosis are of importance, as the tumor carries a poor prognosis. This case serves to underscore the importance of the cell block technique for the diagnosis.
