open access

Vol 83, No 8 (2012)
ARTICLES
Get Citation

Uterine carcinosarcoma

Jacek Jassem, Krystyna Serkies
Ginekol Pol 2012;83(8).

open access

Vol 83, No 8 (2012)
ARTICLES

Abstract

Uterine carcinosarcoma is a rare, metaplastic subtype of endometrial cancer comprised of two distinct malignant components – epithelial and mesenchymal, with phenotypic features. This tumor shows very aggressive behavior, including both local recurrence and distant metastases. Surgery, consisting of total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and dissection of pelvic and para-aortic lymph node, with detailed examination of the entire abdominopelvic cavity and maximal cytoreduction of the lesions, is the principal treatment. The optimal postoperative therapy has not been determined, and is individualized. In a randomized trial a postoperative radiotherapy was shown to improve local control but no survival benefi t. High rate of distant metastases suggests a potential role of the systemic therapy. However, the benefi t of postoperative chemotherapy in high-risk patients has not been confi rmed in randomized studies. This method, in addition to palliative radiotherapy and surgery, is used in recurrent and advanced disease. Currently, chemotherapy including the combination of paclitaxel with ifosfamide or carboplatin is considered the most effective regimen, with the latter having a better toxicity profile.

Abstract

Uterine carcinosarcoma is a rare, metaplastic subtype of endometrial cancer comprised of two distinct malignant components – epithelial and mesenchymal, with phenotypic features. This tumor shows very aggressive behavior, including both local recurrence and distant metastases. Surgery, consisting of total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and dissection of pelvic and para-aortic lymph node, with detailed examination of the entire abdominopelvic cavity and maximal cytoreduction of the lesions, is the principal treatment. The optimal postoperative therapy has not been determined, and is individualized. In a randomized trial a postoperative radiotherapy was shown to improve local control but no survival benefi t. High rate of distant metastases suggests a potential role of the systemic therapy. However, the benefi t of postoperative chemotherapy in high-risk patients has not been confi rmed in randomized studies. This method, in addition to palliative radiotherapy and surgery, is used in recurrent and advanced disease. Currently, chemotherapy including the combination of paclitaxel with ifosfamide or carboplatin is considered the most effective regimen, with the latter having a better toxicity profile.
Get Citation

Keywords

uterus carcinosarcoma, radiotherapy, chemotheray, targeted therapy

About this article
Title

Uterine carcinosarcoma

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 83, No 8 (2012)

Page views

956

Article views/downloads

11554

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2012;83(8).

Keywords

uterus carcinosarcoma
radiotherapy
chemotheray
targeted therapy

Authors

Jacek Jassem
Krystyna Serkies

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk
tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, faks:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail:  viamedica@viamedica.pl