Publication/Presentation Date

8-5-2020

Abstract

Carcinosarcomas are composed of epithelial and mesenchymal elements and primarily present within visceral organs. Despite being potentially aggressive, they are a rare diagnosis in the skin, and few manifestations have been reported to date. In this report, we describe two separate cases of carcinosarcoma presenting as nonhealing scalp wounds. Patient A: a 57-year-old male with a nonhealing skin lesion of ten years successfully treated with wide-local excision and local ortichochea flap reconstruction. Patient B: a 75-year-old female that presented with a painless, slow-growing hemorrhagic mass of 7 years invading the skull and dura ultimately requiring craniectomy and free-tissue transfer with anterolateral thigh flap. Cutaneous carcinosarcomas have more favorable outcomes due to low metastatic rates likely due to earlier detection, but delayed presentation can be fatal. Histopathological analysis is critical for determining diagnosis and prognosis. Adequate reconstruction after wide base excision varies and follows the reconstructive ladder/elevator ranging from primary closure up through free-tissue transfer. With cutaneous manifestations of carcinosarcoma seldom reported in the literature, it is our hope that reporting unusual instances such as this will raise awareness and allow for earlier diagnoses, treatments, and reconstructions.

Volume

12

Issue

8

First Page

9569

Last Page

9569

ISSN

2168-8184

Comments

Oral presentation at Schaeffer Research Day, Allentown, Pa, May 2021.

Disciplines

Otolaryngology | Pathology | Plastic Surgery

PubMedID

32913686

Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology

Document Type

Article

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