1995 Volume 34 Issue 4 Pages 698-703
True malignant mixed tumor (carcinosarcoma) of salivary gland origin is a very rare neoplasm. Only a few descriptions of the cytologic features of this tumor are found in the literature. We report our experience with Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of a true malignant mixed tumor of the parotid gland in a 60-year-old man together with a brief review of the literature.
The patient visited our hospital complaining of a right parotid mass, which he had noticed two months earlier. A conclusive diagnosis was not obtained by computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging scan, and FNAC was carried out. Cytologically, the aspirated material showed three components: 1) loosely cohesive spindle to oval cells with enlarged hyperchromatic nuclei, suggesting undifferentiated carcinoma, 2) atypical chondrocytes in a chondromyxoid matrix, suggesting chondrosarcomatous differentiation, and 3) osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells with no significant atypism.
Histopathologically, the resected mass, measuring 5.0 cm in greatest diameter, consisted of areas of undifferentiated carcinoma in sheet-like growth and chondrosarcomatous areas: osteoclast-like giant cells were frequently seen admixed with the undifferentiated carcinoma. A remnant of pleomorphic adenoma was found in a hyalinizing and markedly calcified area in the periphery of the main tumor.
